Met Police takes no action over Sarah Helm post on Palestine Action

LONDON — The Metropolitan Police has said it will take no action over a social media post by journalist Sarah Helm, according to Middle East Eye. Helm had been accused of expressing support for Palestine Action, a direct action group banned under British terrorism law.

According to Middle East Eye, Helm appeared to express support for the group on X on Thursday. The Met said the post was assessed by specialist officers. "The post was assessed by specialist officers and it was determined that it did not meet the criminal threshold. No further police action will be taken," the force said, according to the report.

Helm was responding to broadcaster Adam Boulton. Boulton had criticised the Irish novelist Sally Rooney on Sky News that day. Rooney's books are being withdrawn from the UK market over her support for Palestine Action, the report said. Boulton accused Rooney of taking a "very strong pro-Palestine, and, I have to say, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish stance."

Middle East Eye reported that Helm is married to Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser to Andy Burnham, the prime minister. The report did not say whether Helm or Powell had commented on the matter. The report did not give further details of the post's wording.

Background

Palestine Action is a direct action group that the UK has banned under its terrorism laws, according to the report. The group has been the subject of debate in Britain over its activities and its status. Middle East Eye's report did not give details of the ban's date or the group's recent actions.

Sarah Helm is described in the report as a prominent journalist and author. Sally Rooney is described as a best-selling Irish novelist.