Andy Burnham urged by Labour group to sack his national security adviser after his wife expressed support for banned terror group Palestine Action

Published: 11:08 EDT, 21 October 2026 | Updated: 11:21 EDT, 21 October 2026 Andy Burnham has been urged by a Labour group to sack his National Security Adviser after his wife was accused of making anti-Jewish comments.Labour Against Antisemitism has written to the Prime Minister to demand that Jonathan Powell ‘resign or be sacked’ as the group claims his wife, Sarah Helm, poses ‘security concerns’.Ms Helm was recently probed – and cleared – by police over a social media post in which she declared her support for banned extremist group Palestine Action.Now Labour Against Antisemitism has raised concerns about other comments made by Ms Helm, including one in which she wrote about ‘the Jewish lobby’ and its access to prime ministers.Its letter to Mr Burnham, seen by the Mail, said: ‘Partners are part of Developed Vetting. Either Jonathan Powell lacks full clearance, vetting missed this, or saw it. Each is indefensible.‘You promised zero tolerance on anti-Semitism. Mr Powell’s position is untenable and his wife raises security concerns. He must resign or be sacked.’This means that both Labour and Conservative figures have now called on Mr Burnham to demand his National Security Adviser’s resignation or sack him.Shadow home affairs minister Alicia Kearns has also written to the PM about the handling of sensitive national security information and questioned whether Mr Burnham retains confidence in his adviser. Andy Burnham has been urged by a Labour group to sack his National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell (pictured) after his wife was accused of making anti-Jewish comments Author Sarah Helm, who is married to Mr Powell, sparked outrage after appearing to support proscribed terror group Palestine Action‘Jonathan Powell’s position as National Security Adviser is untenable,’ Ms Kearns said.However the PM’s official spokesman insisted that Mr Burnham has confidence in Mr Powell and said his wife’s comments are ‘views held by an individual who doesn't represent the government in any capacity’.‘Jonathan Powell is one of the finest diplomats of our generation. His experience speaks for itself,’ the spokesman added.Ms Helm, an author and former Middle East correspondent, also appeared to reveal that her husband played little role in the Government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action last year.Asked by an X user if Mr Powell had been instrumental in banning the group – or was involved in the decision – Ms Helm replied: 'Nope and nope.'And in separate footage, Ms Helm answered ‘yes’ when asked if she discussed Mr Powell’s sensitive work in No10 when he returned home each day. In response to this footage being shared on social media, Ms Helm replied: ‘Wow shocking admissions here.’Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police said it was assessing a social media post by Ms Helm after she wrote on X: 'God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.'However officers took no further action after they found the post did not meet the criminal threshold. Ms Helm was accused of expressing public support for Palestine Action during a discussion about Normal People author Sally RooneyThe ban on Palestine Action, which began in July 2025, made membership or support of the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.Ms Helm’s comment was made during a discussion about Normal People author Sally Rooney, who has said she can no longer sell her books in the UK because of her support for the proscribed group.Ms Helm’s statements have also been raised in the House of Lords, with Lib Dem peer Lord Palmer asking the Government for assurances that Mr Powell 'is not over-influenced by the comments his wife has made'.Cabinet Office minister Baroness Twycross insisted Ms Helm does 'not represent this Government’ and argued it was important to maintain 'a distinction between Government employees and their families'.Shadow Foreign Office minister Lord Callanan also pressed the minister on Ms Helm's apparent suggestion that her husband played little role in the proscription of Palestine Action.Lord Callanan said: 'Could the [minister] tell the House how Ms Helm knew whether her husband was involved or not?'None of us know who in Government was involved in that decision. How does she know who was involved?'Lady Twycross did not answer directly but said: 'It's a Government decision, and the Government's position on Palestine Action is clear.’Ms Helm was approached for comment.