UK national security adviser under pressure over wife’s comment on supporting Palestine Action
Summary
The UK’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, is facing pressure because his wife, Sarah Helm, publicly supported a banned group called Palestine Action. The group is considered a terrorist organisation, and supporting it can lead to serious legal penalties. The government says Helm's views do not represent them, and police are deciding whether to investigate her comments.Key Facts
- Jonathan Powell became the UK’s national security adviser in 2024.
- His wife, Sarah Helm, made a public post supporting Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
- Supporting this group can result in up to 14 years in prison under UK terror laws.
- More than 3,700 people have been arrested and over 2,250 charged for backing Palestine Action.
- Sarah Helm’s post was a response to criticism of the Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who withdrew her books from UK shelves after promising to donate sales to Palestine Action.
- Police are currently reviewing Helm’s post to decide if it needs investigation.
- The UK government distanced itself from Helm’s views, saying she does not represent them.
- Groups on opposing sides disagree: some support Helm’s right to free speech, while others want her to be legally punished.
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