National Security Adviser's Wife Accused of 'Leaking' Amid Palestine Action Row

Sarah Helm, wife of Andy Burnham's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, has been accused of "leaking" government information as she defends her public support for the proscribed group Palestine Action. The controversy erupted after Helm declared her support for the group on social media, leading to a police assessment of her posts.

Officers ultimately determined that Helm's post did not meet the criminal threshold, and no further action was taken. However, in the aftermath, Helm has continued to post on X, formerly Twitter, addressing the row. In one exchange, she appeared to reveal that her husband played a minimal role in the government's initial decision to ban Palestine Action last year, stating "Nope and nope" when asked if Powell was instrumental in the ban or involved in his senior role.

Senior Conservative MP Alicia Kearns questioned Helm's decision to share information about government decision-making on national security matters. "Not sure the wife of the National Security Advisor should be leaking where decision making sits in Government on…National Security?" Kearns wrote on X. "This tweet suggests he tells her who makes decisions, and how, on national security issues…"

The ban on Palestine Action, implemented in July 2025, makes membership or support of the group a criminal offense with a potential penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

Helm's support for the group came to light last week during a discussion involving author Sally Rooney, who stated she could no longer sell her books in the UK due to her backing of Palestine Action. Helm responded on X, "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action."

Metropolitan Police initially assessed the post but concluded there was insufficient evidence of it encouraging support for a proscribed organization. Jonathan Powell was retained by Andy Burnham as national security adviser after Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in July. Powell previously served as Tony Blair's chief of staff.

A government spokesperson commented on Helm's social media activity, stating, "These views are held by an individual who does not represent the Government in any capacity."