Police in London have dropped a potential criminal investigation into social media posts made by Sarah Helm, the wife of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s national security adviser. Investigators determined the remarks regarding Palestine Action fell short of the criminal threshold.
London’s Metropolitan Police announced that officers completed an assessment of a message published on X by Sarah Helm. The author and journalist, who is married to National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, posted on October 15, 2026. Her comments addressed the ongoing fallout surrounding publisher decisions tied to activist groups.
Metropolitan Police Conclude Assessment of Social Media Post
Law enforcement officials initially began reviewing the online statement to evaluate whether further investigation was warranted. Following a review by specialist officers, the force determined the remarks did not meet the criminal threshold.
🇬🇧🚨 London's Metropolitan Police are reviewing a social media post by author Sarah Helm, wife of UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, after she posted on X backing author Sally Rooney and proscribed group Palestine Action. Expressing support for the banned organization…
The Metropolitan Police stated that no additional police action would follow the evaluation. The decision arrived after outside scrutiny targeted the online commentary. Authorities concluded that proof was lacking to demonstrate the post could reasonably incite backing for a banned entity. Green Party leader Zack Polanski defended Sarah Helm by stating she should be commended for her bravery and urged the government to immediately lift the ban on Palestine Action.
Publisher Withdrawal Sparks Online Defense and Public Debate
The controversy began when Helm responded to industry news regarding Irish novelist Sally Rooney. Publisher Faber announced it could no longer supply Rooney’s books in the UK because current legislation prevented the firm from passing British earnings to an author who pledged royalties to Palestine Action. The company expressed that distributing an author’s literature while being legally barred from remitting their profits creates an entirely untenable dilemma for any publishing house. Rooney, in agreement with the publisher, saw her books withdrawn from UK sale; she had previously pledged to donate proceeds from her work to Palestine Action, acknowledging that the group’s proscription under UK law meant that continuing to fulfill publishing contracts could expose those involved to potential criminal liability.
God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism also acknowledged that spouses are entitled to independent views while noting that the post raises extremely serious questions for Jonathan Powell and the government, urging Powell to publicly distance himself from the comments.
Government Distancing and Legal Restrictions on Proscribed Groups
Downing Street quickly sought distance from the comments made by the national security adviser’s spouse. A government spokesperson stated that these views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a “terrorist” organisation following a July 2025 vote by UK lawmakers. That ban criminalized membership or support for the direct-action group under laws carrying prison sentences of up to 14 years.
Although Palestine Action contested the government’s prohibition and the Court of Appeal upheld the ban’s legality in June, the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing to evaluate the Palestine Action restriction prior to the conclusion of the year.