Police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser's wife
UK police are assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of national security adviser Jonathan Powell, regarding her support for the group Palestine Action. The group is currently designated as a terrorist organization by the UK Home Office, sparking political debate over the appropriateness of her comments.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the tension between the private political expressions of government officials' spouses and the official security policies of the state.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kate Whannel , Political reporter and Becky Morton , Political reporter Getty Images Jonathan Powell is the government's national security adviser Police are assessing a social media post by the wife of the government's national security adviser Jonathan Powell which referenced Palestine Action, a group labelled a terrorist organisation by the Home Office.
Sarah Helm wrote on the social media site X: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action."
She was responding to a discussion on Sky News about the author Sally Rooney, whose novels will not be supplied to booksellers in the UK following her announcement that she intends to use her royalties to support Palestine Action.
A No 10 spokeswoman said Helm was "an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity". The BBC has attempted to contact Helm for comment.
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