The Jonathan Powell–Palestine Action debacle continued to cause the government painstaking awkwardness today – this time in the House of Lords. Last night, Sarah Helm, Powell’s terror group-sympathising wife, confirmed on X that the National Security Adviser had no involvement in the proscription of Palestine Action.
Mr S finds it rather peculiar that, while the pro-Gaza author apparently knows whether her husband was involved in discussions about banning a terror group – discussions that could also be described as national security matters – senior politicians and the public are not privy to the same information.
Lord Callanan, feeling quite the same confusion, sought clarification in the House of Lords chamber. He asked the government: ‘Could the noble baroness tell the House how Ms Helm knew if 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?’
Responding, clueless Labour Cabinet Office Minister, Baroness Twycross, said: ‘It’s a government decision and the government’s position on Palestine Action is clear and the Court of Appeal has found that Palestine Action carried out acts of terrorism… The Court of Appeal found this and the proscription of Palestine Action does not affect lawful protest… Palestine Action should be proscribed and we continue to hold that view.’
Poor old Powell. The time’s up clock seems to be ticking louder by the minute as a national security row has become a deeply personal nightmare. Surely his time is up?
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