UK’s national security adviser faces calls to be sacked after wife ‘posted antisemitic comments online’

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: National Security Adviser of the United Kingdom Jonathan Powell departs from 10 Downing Street, ahead of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky President of Ukraine, on October 24, 2025 in London, England. Zelensky said on social media the aim of the London visit was to win security guarantees for Kyiv. The meeting was to be a prelude to President Donald Trump and President Putin meeting in Budapest next week, however Trump withdrew from the meeting saying he did not want a “wasted meeting”. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Next THE UK’s National Security Adviser faced more calls to quit or be sacked after his wife allegedly made antisemitic comments online and publicly revealed his work. Labour Against Antisemitism has written to PM Andy Burnham arguing that Jonathan Powell, pictured above, should get the boot. Mr Powell’s wife Sarah Helm dismissed EU President Ursula von der Leyen’s support for Israel in the wake of the October 7 atrocity in 2023 as “empty dangerous glib tropes”, and later called it “puzzling” no rape victim had testified. Ms Helm said last week: “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action. Sounds like Adam [Boulton] would have all our books swept off the shelves in a jiffy.” Advertisement Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. She claims to have “spent a very long time in Gaza” and laments Hamas was “blackballed a terrorist entity”. Labour Against Antisemitism’s Alex Hearn wrote to the PM and said: “Either Jonathan Powell lacks full clearance, vetting missed this, or saw it. Each is indefensible. READ MORE FROM POLITICS IAN AUSTIN Burnham can forget second term if Labour MPs block Mahmood’s immigration reforms RED ON RED Cabinet row erupts as Energy Sec slams Mahmood's 10-year migrant settlement plan “You promised zero tolerance on antisemitism. Mr Powell’s position is untenable and his wife raises security concerns. He must resign or be sacked.” The Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson said: “At a time of the worst antisemitism in living memory, how can British Jews be reassured when these sentiments are so close to the person charged with protecting us all?” Shadow home affairs minister Alicia Kearns wrote to Mr Burnham asking if Mr Powell’s position is still tenable . It is classed as a terror organisation but police say no action is needed over the post. No 10 said she “does not represent the Government in any capacity”. Most read in The Sun DEATH RIDDLE Woman, 36, dies after being found unresponsive in home - as cops probe death CONTINENT CHAOS Cops & left-wing protesters clash in Spain after 'apocalyptic' France riots VLAD THREAT Putin 'sends fishing boats to spy on Britain' as tyrant targets undersea cables SKILLS LOST Navy 'lost its ability to fight beneath ice cap & is leaving seas to Russians' It comes as a report has found three in five older Jewish pupils have seen or suffered antisemitic abuse.