UK police rule out probe into Palestine Action post by PM adviser’s wife

The Metropolitan Police have decided not to investigate a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's national security adviser. Helm's post on X appeared to endorse Palestine Action, a group proscribed in the UK as a terrorist organization. Officers reviewed the post and determined it "did not meet the criminal threshold," meaning no further police action will be taken. This decision follows concerns raised after Helm commented on author Sally Rooney's decision to donate royalties to Palestine Action, which led publisher Faber to halt sales of Rooney's books in the UK.

No further police action will be taken against Sarah Helm, wife of Prime Minister's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, following a social media post. Helm, a journalist and author, posted on X expressing support for Palestine Action, a group banned in July 2025. The Metropolitan Police assessed the post and determined it did not meet the criminal threshold for encouraging support of a proscribed organization. The Campaign Against Antisemitism had called for an investigation, but the police concluded no further action was required. Downing Street has stated that Helm's views do not represent the government.

British police are reviewing a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, who appears to express support for Palestine Action. Helm, a writer, posted on X on Thursday, "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action," in response to a discussion about Irish novelist Sally Rooney's decision to withhold royalties from sales in the UK due to her support for the group. The Metropolitan Police stated they are assessing the post to determine if further investigation is needed. A government spokesperson clarified that Helm's views do not represent the government. Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK in July 2025, with membership or support punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell is facing pressure to distance himself from comments made by his wife, writer Sarah Helm, who expressed support for Palestine Action on X. Helm's post was in defense of novelist Sally Rooney, who stated she would pull her books from UK shelves after pledging sales proceeds to the proscribed group. The UK government has distanced itself from Helm's views, stating they do not represent the government. The Metropolitan Police are assessing Helm's post to determine if an investigation is required. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Helm to face legal consequences, while free speech groups have praised her defiance. Hundreds of writers have signed an open letter supporting Rooney.