From the Guardian · · 2m
National security adviser's wife backs banned protest group
Sarah Helm, wife of UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell, faces scrutiny after publicly supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation.
In brief
Sarah Helm, wife of UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell, faces scrutiny after publicly supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation. Jonathan Powell, the UK's national security adviser, is under pressure after his wife Sarah Helm publicly backed Palestine Action, a banned group, in defence of…
National security adviser under fire
Jonathan Powell, the UK's national security adviser, faces pressure to distance himself from comments made by his wife, award-winning writer Sarah Helm, supporting Palestine Action.
Helm defends novelist Rooney
Sarah Helm, a former Sunday Times journalist and diplomatic editor at the Independent, wrote on X in defence of Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who pledged book sale proceeds to Palestine Action.
Helm's statement on the group
Responding to broadcaster Adam Boulton, Helm wrote: God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action. Sounds like Adam would have all our books swept off the shelves in a jiffy.
“God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action. Sounds like Adam would have all our books swept off the shelves in a jiffy.”
Palestine Action proscribed last year
Palestine Action was proscribed last year under terror laws. Supporting a proscribed group can carry a maximum penalty of fourteen years in prison. The ban has resulted in more than three thousand seven hundred arrests.
Police assess Helm's post
Police said Helm's X post made on Thursday, fifteen October, referencing Palestine Action is in the process of being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.
Downing Street distances itself
Downing Street distanced itself from Helm's post on Friday, with a spokesperson saying these views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.
“These views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.”
Security clearance rules at stake
Government guidance states that being married to a suspected or convicted terrorist normally results in revocation of security clearance.
Campaign Against Antisemitism demands prosecution
The Campaign Against Antisemitism called for Helm to face the full force of the law, saying Powell must publicly denounce her rhetoric if he is to continue in post as national security adviser.
Free speech advocates defend Helm
Defend Our Juries, a free speech group, thanked Helm for defying the ban and said the government cannot defend it when its own national security adviser's wife has openly defied it.
Writers sign letter backing Rooney
Four hundred nineteen novelists, poets, editors and illustrators signed an open letter condemning a government that bans authors for speaking out, warning a country that bans its writers is not a free country.
“A country that bans its writers for speaking out is not a free country.”
What to remember
Jonathan Powell, the UK's national security adviser, is under pressure after his wife Sarah Helm publicly backed Palestine Action, a banned group, in defence of novelist Sally Rooney.
