UK police said Friday they were assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, a journalist and author married to National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, after she appeared to express support for Palestine Action.
Helm responded on X to a post about Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who announced this week that her books would no longer be sold in Britain because she plans to use her royalties to support Palestine Action. Helm wrote: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the post was "being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required".
The UK government banned Palestine Action as a "terrorist" organisation in July 2025. Under the proscription order, expressing support for the group or membership carries a criminal penalty of up to 14 years in prison. According to the source, thousands of people have been arrested since the ban took effect for holding placards expressing support for the group.
A government spokeswoman said of Helm's post: "These views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity."
Human rights organisations have widely denounced the ban as draconian, according to the source material.
Rooney, the Irish author, announced this week she would cease sales of her books in Britain and redirect royalties to Palestine Action in protest of the proscription order.