UK police assess Sarah Helm post about Palestine Action

Summary

British police are assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, after she appeared to express support for Palestine Action, which is banned as a terrorist organisation in the UK. The post followed Irish novelist Sally Rooney’s announcement that her books would no longer be sold in Britain over her plans to use royalties to support the group. Middle East Eye reports that police were assessing whether further investigation was needed and that a government spokeswoman said Helm’s views did not represent the government.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   16 Oct 2026, 16:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that police are assessing a post by Sarah Helm after she weighed in on Sally Rooney’s books being pulled from the British market over Palestine Action royalties.

2. Middle East Eye

   16 Oct 2026, 17:48 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Helm’s post responded to Rooney’s plans to support Palestine Action with book royalties, that police were assessing whether further investigation was needed, and that a government spokeswoman said Helm’s views did not represent the government.

3. Al Jazeera

   16 Oct 2026, 18:26 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that police are reviewing a social media post by writer Sarah Helm, wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, expressing support for Palestine Action.

4. The Times of Israel

   16 Oct 2026, 22:50 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports that police are looking into Helm’s post after she criticised the withdrawal of Rooney’s books over the novelist’s plan to give royalties to Palestine Action.