Police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser's wife
The Metropolitan Police are assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of the UK's national security adviser, regarding the group Palestine Action. The post has sparked debate between political figures over free speech and the group's status as a designated terrorist organization.
Why it matters
The incident highlights tensions regarding the intersection of personal political expression, national security, and the definition of extremist groups in the UK.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, 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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