Security adviser's wife criticised for Palestine Action support

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Sarah Helm, married to the Prime Minister's national security adviser, has expressed support for the proscribed group Palestine Action.

Sarah Helm, a journalist and author married to Jonathan Powell, the Prime Minister's national security adviser, declared support for the banned protest group Palestine Action in a post on X on Thursday. She wrote '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.

Ms Helm was responding to a discussion about author Sally Rooney, who has said she can no longer sell her books in the UK because she supported the group. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for a police investigation, with a spokesperson saying the views raise 'extremely serious questions' for Mr Powell, who leads on the government's national security and has been involved in Middle East diplomacy.

Downing Street distanced itself from the remarks, with a government spokesperson stating that these views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.

How it is being reported

• UK national security adviser under pressure over wife’s comment on supporting Palestine ActionAuthor Sarah Helm, married to Jonathan Powell, wrote to back novelist Sally Rooney’s support of proscribed direct action group The UK’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell is under pressure to distance himself from a comment made by his wife, the award-winning writer Sarah Helm , in support of Palestine Action. The post was made in defence of the critically acclaimed Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who said she had been forced to pull her books from shelves in the UK after pledging proceeds from their sales to Palestine Action. Continue reading...The Guardian · 16 Oct, 18:03
• National security adviser’s wife accused of supporting Palestine Action‘God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action,’ Sarah Helm, who is the wife of Jonathan Powell, wrote on XThe Independent · 16 Oct, 17:11
• Outrage as wife of Andy Burnham's national security adviser expresses support for banned terror group Palestine ActionAuthor Sarah Helm, who is married to Andy Burnham's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, appearing to support proscribed terror group Palestine Action.Daily Mail · 16 Oct, 16:06

In this story: Sarah Helm · Jonathan Powell · Palestine Action · Sally Rooney · Campaign Against Antisemitism · UK

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