SanctionsMiddle East Eye
Wife of top Burnham adviser backs Sally Rooney after books withdrawn over Palestine Action support
Imran Mulla10/16/2026
Sarah Helm, a prominent author and the wife of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's national security adviser, has posted on X in support of Sally Rooney, whose books are being withdrawn from the UK market over her support of Palestine Action. Helm is the wife of Jonathan Powell, who served as former prime minister Keir Starmer's adviser on national security, foreign policy and intelligence - and remained in the role when Burnham become prime minister.
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