UK police rule out investigation into National Security Adviser's wife

The Metropolitan Police have ruled out a criminal investigation into a social media post by Sarah Helm, the wife of UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell. Helm, a journalist and author, posted on X expressing support for Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom as of July 2025.

The post was made in response to news regarding Irish author Sally Rooney, whose publisher, Faber, announced it would no longer supply her books in the UK. This decision followed Rooney’s intention to donate royalties to Palestine Action, a move that created legal complications for the publisher under current UK legislation.

While the Campaign Against Antisemitism called for an investigation, the Metropolitan Police determined that Helm’s comments “did not meet the criminal threshold.” Downing Street has distanced itself from the remarks, stating that Helm is an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.