British police have concluded that a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, does not warrant criminal investigation. The Metropolitan Police stated on Saturday that the post “did not meet the criminal threshold” and would not result in further police action, following a review begun the previous day.
Helm, an author and journalist, posted on X that “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.” The comment came after publishing company Faber announced this week that it would cease supplying books by Irish author Sally Rooney in the UK. Faber explained that current legislation prevented it from passing UK earnings to Rooney, who had stated intentions to donate royalties to Palestine Action. The publisher stated the situation was “unconscionable” but confirmed it would continue selling Rooney’s work in other regions.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism responded to Helm’s post by calling it “gobsmacking” and urging police investigation and legal consequences. When asked for comment, a government spokesperson stated that Helm’s remarks did “not represent the government in any capacity.”
Palestine Action was designated a proscribed “terrorist” organisation following a July 2025 parliamentary vote. According to Amnesty International, more than 3,500 people have been arrested in the UK for allegedly supporting the group since the ban took effect, with many detained for activities such as holding placards. Despite legal challenges, the Court of Appeal upheld the proscription as lawful in June.
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