Controversy surrounds national security adviser’s wife over support for banned group
Downing Street has distanced itself from remarks made by the wife of the Prime Minister’s national security adviser following accusations she supported the banned protest group Palestine Action, reports BritPanorama.
Sarah Helm, married to Jonathan Powell, wrote on X on Thursday: “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.” Under the ban introduced on 5 July 2025, membership or support of the direct action group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called on the police to investigate Ms Helm, who is a journalist and author. “This is gobsmacking,” a spokesperson stated. “Clearly, the police need to investigate and Sarah Helm must face the full force of the law, just like others who appear to express support for any proscribed terrorist organisation.”
The spokesperson added that this incident raises serious questions for Jonathan Powell, emphasising that while spouses are entitled to independent views, he must publicly denounce this rhetoric if he is to continue in post. A Government spokesperson responded by stating, “These views are held by an individual who does not represent the Government in any capacity.”
Ms Helm’s comments were made in the context of a discussion surrounding author Sally Rooney, who has stated she can no longer sell her books in the UK due to her support for Palestine Action. The Irish author has previously indicated she would donate earnings from her works to the group, which aims to “end global participation in Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime.”
This has prompted Rooney’s publisher, Faber, to determine that it cannot sell her novels in Britain. Following the ban, statistics indicate a notable rise in terror arrests. Police have made mass arrests at multiple demonstrations where protesters displayed placards and wore items declaring their opposition to genocide while supporting Palestine Action, leading to detentions under anti-terrorism legislation.
In the year leading up to June, there were 3,867 arrests for suspected terrorist activity, with 3,630 (94 per cent) linked to supporting Palestine Action—while just 234 arrests were made in the previous year before the ban was enforced. Additionally, in August, the US government announced sanctions against Palestine Action, designating it as a terror group.
The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment.
