UK police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser's wife

LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) — British police said on Friday they were assessing a social media post after the wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell appeared to express support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group banned as a terrorist organisation. Journalist and author Sarah Helm, who is married to Powell, responded on X to a post about the Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who this week announced her books would no longer be sold in Britain over her plans to use her royalties to support Palestine Action. Helm said in the post: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action." In response, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the post is "being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required". Palestine Action was proscribed under terrorism laws last year, so expressing support for the group constitutes a criminal offence. Asked for comment, a government spokeswoman said: "These views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity." Palestine Action has carried out protests including vandalism in support of Palestinian causes, and denies that this amounts to terrorism. Four members of t