Sarah Helm doubles down as pro-Israel groups urge police action and Zack Polanski praises her 'bravery'

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Met Police rule Sarah Helm's Palestine Action post not criminal

   The Metropolitan Police determined that a social media post by Sarah Helm does not meet the criminal threshold, ending an assessment into whether she endorsed Palestine Action. Helm, a journalist and author, is the wife of Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser to Prime Minister Burnham. The investigation followed calls from pro-Israel groups for police action after Helm posted a message of support for authors who back Palestine Action. Downing Street stated that Helm does not represent the government in any capacity.

   Why it matters

   Palestine Action is a proscribed group in the UK. The controversy began after publisher Faber stopped supplying Sally Rooney's novels to British bookshops due to her support for the group.

   What is confirmed

   • The Metropolitan Police determined that Sarah Helm's X post does not meet the criminal threshold.
   • Sarah Helm is the wife of Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser to Prime Minister Burnham.
   • Sarah Helm posted: 'God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action'.
   • Downing Street stated Sarah Helm does not represent the government in any capacity.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Jonathan Powell is considering quitting his role as national security adviser.
   • Sarah Helm has been accused of leaking.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Jonathan Powell resigns from his position as national security adviser.
   • Further responses from pro-Israel groups regarding the police decision.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. BBC — Police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser's wife
   2. The Guardian — UK national security adviser under pressure over wife’s comment on supporting Palestine Action
   3. Al Jazeera — UK PM adviser’s wife expresses ‘support’ for Palestine Action
   4. Sky News — Palestine Action post by Sarah Helms, wife of national security adviser, being assessed by Met Police
   5. The Telegraph — Burnham’s national security adviser ‘considers quitting’
   6. Middle East Eye — Sarah Helm doubles down as pro-Israel groups urge police action and Zack Polanski praises her 'bravery'
   7. The Times of Israel — Post by wife of aide to British PM backing Palestine Action doesn't warrant probe, UK police says
   8. BBC — No further action against government adviser's wife over Palestine Action post, police say
   9. The Guardian — No action to be taken against wife of PM’s aide over Palestine Action post
   10. www.middleeasteye.net — Sarah Helm is speaking 'common sense' on Palestine Action, says Zack Polanski
   11. www.middleeasteye.net — Sarah Helm doubles down as pro-Israel groups urge police action and Zack Polanski praises her 'bravery'
   12. www.aljazeera.com — UK PM adviser’s wife expresses ‘support’ for Palestine Action
   confidence 95%