The Metropolitan Police said Thursday it is assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, wife of national security adviser Jonathan Powell, which referenced Palestine Action, the group the Home Office has designated a terrorist organisation.

Helm wrote on X: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action." She posted in response to a Sky News discussion about author Sally Rooney, whose UK publisher withdrew her novels after Rooney announced plans to direct her royalties to Palestine Action.

A No. 10 spokeswoman said Helm "is an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity." The BBC attempted to contact Helm for comment but received no response.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the post "is in the process of being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required."

Helm is an author and journalist who previously worked at the Sunday Times and as a foreign correspondent for the Independent. She does not hold a government position.

Reform UK MP Danny Kruger wrote to the prime minister expressing concern about Helm's post. The Campaign Against Antisemitism called the post "gobsmacking" and said Powell, who leads on national security and has been involved in Middle East diplomacy, "must publicly denounce this rhetoric if he is to continue in post."

Green Party leader Zack Polanski defended Helm's statement as "absolute common sense" and called for Palestine Action to be de-proscribed "immediately", describing its terrorist designation as "ludicrous and authoritarian."

The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group in 2025, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Four activists were jailed earlier this year for causing 1.2 million pounds in damage at a UK facility of an Israel-based defence firm.

The proscription prompted an estimated 3,700 arrests in the UK for publicly expressing support for the group. Around 2,500 have been charged, though trials have not begun pending a legal challenge to the proscription set to be heard in the Supreme Court next month.

Powell served as a diplomat and later as an adviser in Tony Blair's government, where he was credited with negotiating the Northern Ireland peace deal. Keir Starmer appointed him national security adviser in 2024.