National security adviser Jonathan Powell's wife backs banned Palestine Action group in social media post

Sarah Helm, a journalist and author married to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, has publicly backed Palestine Action on social media. Helm responded to pundit Adam Boulton's claim that author Sally Rooney's support for the group was "anti-Jewish", writing: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action." Expressing support for Palestine Action carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years after the group was banned under the Terrorism Act last year.

Palestine Action was designated a terrorist organisation and banned under the Terrorism Act, making any expression of support a criminal offence.

Helm, a former Sunday Times and Independent journalist, has posted repeatedly this week defending Palestinian rights and Jewish anti-Zionists.

Powell is one of the most senior officials in Downing Street, making his wife's posts acutely embarrassing for the Burnham government.