London's Metropolitan Police have decided that no further action will be taken against journalist and author Sarah Helm over a social media post that referenced Palestine Action.
Specialist officers concluded that the post did not meet the criminal threshold, closing off the possibility of an investigation into the wife of national security adviser Jonathan Powell.
The outcome followed an earlier police statement that the post was being assessed to establish whether further investigation was required.
The force later confirmed that its review had ended without further steps.
Post appeared during discussion of Sally Rooney
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July 2025, and membership of or support for the group can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Helm's post appeared on X during a discussion about Irish author Sally Rooney and the consequences of her stated support for Palestine Action.
In the post, Helm wrote: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action."
Rooney had announced plans to direct royalties from her books to the organization.
Her British publisher, Faber, then determined that it could no longer supply her works to UK booksellers because of restrictions on transferring the earnings to her.
Faber said current UK legislation had created circumstances in which it could not pass on UK earnings to Rooney for her work.
The publisher described selling a writer's work without being able to pass on earnings as an unconscionable situation, and said the decision was taken in full agreement with Rooney.
Faber added that it would continue selling her work in other countries and regions. Her books include Normal People and Conversations with Friends.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism had called for police to investigate Helm's post, arguing that it warranted scrutiny because of legal restrictions on expressing support for a proscribed organization.
The group acknowledged that spouses could hold independent views but maintained that the post raised questions concerning Powell and the government.
In its public response, the organization said police needed to investigate and that Helm must face the full force of the law, just like others who appear to express support for any proscribed terrorist organization.
The UK government distanced itself from Helm's remarks, with a spokesperson saying the views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.
Powell serves as national security adviser to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, but the police decision concerned Helm's individual social media post.
The legal status of Palestine Action has also faced a court challenge.
The Court of Appeal ruled in June 2026 that the government's decision to proscribe the organization was lawful.
Amnesty International has said that more than 3,500 people have been arrested in the UK for allegedly supporting Palestine Action since the ban took effect in July 2025, including people who displayed placards.
