Labour group urges Burnham to dismiss national security adviser over wife’s extremist support claims

Labour Against Antisemitism has appealed to the prime minister to force the resignation or sack of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, citing his wife Sarah Helm’s recent police-cleared social-media post praising the outlawed extremist group Palestine Action and other comments about a “Jewish lobby”.

Government officials have defended Powell, with a spokesperson calling him one of the finest diplomats and stating his wife’s views do not represent the government. Shadow home affairs minister Alicia Kearns and other MPs have also written to the prime minister questioning Powell’s suitability. The issue has been raised in the House of Lords, with peers seeking assurances that Powell is not influenced by his wife’s statements. Police concluded Helm’s post did not meet the criminal threshold.