Police are looking into comments made by the wife of the Prime Minister’s national security adviser after she appeared to back a proscribed pro-Palestinian group.
Sarah Helm, who is married to long-time Labour strategist and now No 10 adviser Jonathan Powell, has shared posts in support of Palestine Action.
Ms Helm responded on Thursday to comments from author Sally Rooney, who said her books had been banned for sale in the UK by her publisher Faber because of her expression of support of the proscribed campaign group.
The Irish writer of Normal People had previously committed to donating some of the proceeds from her work to Palestine Action, support or membership of which has been a criminal offence in the UK since July 2025.
Ms Helm, herself an author and journalist, backed Ms Rooney, writing on X: ‘God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.’
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She then appeared to double down on her comments, adding on Friday: ‘Thanks to all supporters. As an 83 yr old survivor of the Nakba and one of my friends in Rafah (now obliterated) said to me when I was last there, “Keep writing Sarah, we need all the pencils we can get”.’
Metropolitan Police said they were now assessing her comments to see if they warranted further investigation.
A spokesperson for the Government denied that Ms Helm’s words in any way represented its views or policies and was commenting in an individual capacity.
Campaign Against Antisemitism called for Ms Helm to be investigated given her close links to No 10.
‘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’, a spokesperson said.
Palestine Action was proscribed in 2025, with anyone found supporting the group potentially liable for up to 14 years in prison.
Since the ban was announced, thousands of protesters have been detained in mass arrests during demonstrations, where activists have typically worn shirts and held placards with the message: ‘I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action’.
More than 90% of the 3,867 arrests made under anti-terrorism legislation up to June this year were linked to support for the group, which has faced criticism for its campaign methods, including defacing RAF aircraft and vandalising weapons factories with ties to Israel.
The group has also been designated a terrorist organisation in the US.
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