Palestine Action Hunger Strikers Demand Urgent Meeting with UK Ministers

Lawyers representing eight remand prisoners linked to Palestine Action are urging the UK government to intervene as their clients continue a prolonged hunger strike while awaiting trial. In a letter seen by the BBC, the legal team warned Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy that there is a growing risk the prisoners could die if the situation is not addressed quickly.

The letter states that two of the defendants have now been refusing food for thirty seven days, while five others have spent time in hospital due to the deteriorating effects of their protest. The lawyers argue that the hunger strike highlights deep concerns about the conditions of their detention and the pace of the legal process. They are calling for an urgent meeting with ministers to discuss possible solutions before the prisoners’ health declines further.

The defendants are in custody over allegations connected to Palestine Action, a group known for direct action campaigns targeting sites linked to arms manufacturing. Supporters of the prisoners say the hunger strike is a political protest aimed at drawing attention to their cause and the length of time they have been held on remand.

Earlier in the day, MPs John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn raised the issue in the House of Commons, telling the Speaker that ministers had failed to respond to previous requests for updates on the hunger strike. They argued that the government has a responsibility to monitor the welfare of individuals in custody and ensure that serious medical risks are not ignored.

Human rights groups have also expressed concern, noting that hunger strikes of this duration can lead to irreversible health damage. They have urged authorities to engage with the prisoners and their legal representatives to prevent the situation from escalating further.

The Ministry of Justice has not yet issued a detailed public response, but officials say they continue to monitor the prisoners’ wellbeing in accordance with established procedures. Medical staff are understood to be closely observing those on hunger strike, though the prisoners have reportedly refused certain treatments as part of their protest.

As pressure builds, campaigners argue that government engagement is critical. They say the hunger strike reflects broader frustrations about the criminal cases surrounding Palestine Action supporters and the wider debate over the UK’s role in international arms supply chains.

With the prisoners’ condition now described as increasingly fragile, their lawyers insist that immediate dialogue with ministers is essential to prevent a potential tragedy.