No Further Action Against National Security Adviser's Wife Over Palestine Action Tweet

The Metropolitan Police has announced that no further action will be taken against Sarah Helm, the wife of the Prime Minister's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, following an investigation into a social media post that appeared to support the banned protest group Palestine Action.

Helm, a journalist and author, posted on X (formerly Twitter) last week, "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action." This comment was made in response to Irish author Sally Rooney, who had stated she would no longer sell her books in the UK due to her support for the group.

Membership or support for Palestine Action can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

The Metropolitan Police initially stated that the post was being assessed. On Friday, a police spokesman confirmed that "It was determined that it did not meet the criminal threshold. No further action will be taken."

The Campaign Against Antisemitism had called for a police investigation into Ms. Helm's post, suggesting it raised "extremely serious questions for Jonathan Powell."

Downing Street has distanced itself from Helm's remarks, with a spokesperson stating, "These views are held by an individual who does not represent the Government in any capacity."