Tory MP questions security adviser’s position over wife’s Palestine Action posts

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham questioning whether Jonathan Powell can remain national security adviser after social media posts by his wife, writer Sarah Helm, about Palestine Action. According to the BBC, Kearns asked whether the government had investigated the posts and whether Burnham still had full confidence in Powell. Her questions raise a concern about sensitive information, but do not establish that Powell disclosed any. [1]

The Metropolitan Police had already decided to take no further action over one of Helm’s posts. Responding on 15 October to a discussion about author Sally Rooney, Helm wrote: “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.” Police said specialist officers assessed the post and found that it did not meet the criminal threshold. That decision concerned Helm’s words, not Powell’s handling of information. [1] [3]

A separate exchange sharpened the questions about Powell. In the House of Lords on Tuesday, Conservative peer Lord Callanan said Helm had replied “Nope” when asked online whether her husband was involved in the decision to ban Palestine Action. He asked how she could know. Kearns told the BBC: “We cannot have the NSA’s wife tweeting about what decisions her husband has or hasn’t made.” The reported reply does not establish how Helm arrived at her answer. [2] [1]

Downing Street said Helm did not represent the government. In the Lords, minister Fiona Twycross likewise distinguished Helm’s views from Powell’s role, but did not directly answer questions about how Helm knew of his involvement or whether her posts had been considered in vetting. [1] [2]

The ban on Palestine Action took effect in July 2025. The Court of Appeal has ruled the decision lawful; the Supreme Court has listed a further hearing for 4 and 5 November. [5]