LONDON: British police said on Friday they were assessing a social media post after the wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell appeared to express support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group banned by London.

Journalist and author Sarah Helm, who is married to Powell, responded on X to a post about the Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who this week announced her books would no longer be sold in Britain over her plans to use her royalties to support Palestine Action.

Helm said in the post: “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.”

In response, a police spokesperson said the post is “being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required”.

Since Palestine Action was proscribed last year, expressing support for the group constitutes a criminal offence.

Asked for comment, a government spokeswoman said: “These views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.”

Palestine Action has carried out protests in support of Palestinian causes.

Amnesty International says more than 3,500 people have been arrested in Britain for alleged support of Palestine Action since it was banned last year, many of them for holding up placards.

Palestine Action challenged the British government’s decision to ban the group, but the Court of Appeal ruled in June that the proscription was lawful.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2026