Palestine Action hunger strikers launch legal action against David Lammy after activists hospitalised

The legal team is demanding a response within 24 hours, describing the situation as a "matter of urgency".

According to the letter, "our clients' health continues to deteriorate, such that the risk of their dying increases every day".

The hunger strikers claim they've written to Mr Lammy, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, but haven't heard back.

They're also accusing the Government of abandoning its own prison safety policy framework.

The letter requests an urgent meeting to discuss the worsening health of those refusing food.

Seven prisoners have been rushed to hospital since the hunger strike kicked off on November 2.

Amu Gib, 30, who had been held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, was taken to hospital on Saturday after 51 days without food.

The activist's health has "deteriorated rapidly," according to Prisoners for Palestine, and Gib now requires a wheelchair to get around.

Kamran Ahmed, 28, previously held at Pentonville Prison in London, was also admitted to hospital in the past week after 43 days of refusing meals.

Emergency physician Dr James Smith warned journalists last Thursday that some of the activists "are dying" and require specialist medical attention.

Another hunger striker, Qesser Zuhrah, who began refusing food alongside Gib on November 2, was already receiving hospital treatment.

The Ministry of Justice has firmly pushed back against the allegations.

A spokesman said: "We strongly refute these claims. We want these prisoners to accept support and get better, and we will not create perverse incentives that would encourage more people to put themselves at risk through hunger strikes."

Prisons minister Lord Timpson has insisted the service is "very experienced" at handling hunger strikes, with "robust and working" systems already in place.

He's made clear that ministers won't be meeting with the prisoners or their representatives, arguing it would be "entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate" to intervene in ongoing legal cases.

The Government maintains that remand decisions should remain with independent judges, with lawyers free to make representations to the court.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously stated that proper "rules and procedures" are being followed.

The prisoners all face charges connected to alleged break-ins and criminal damage carried out before Palestine Action was banned under terrorism legislation in July.

Gib is accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton and spray painting two RAF Voyager aircraft.

Ahmed allegedly broke into a UK site belonging to Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems near Bristol with sledgehammers in August 2024, reportedly causing £1million in damage.

All prisoners deny the charges against them.

The cause has attracted support from politicians on the left, with Jeremy Corbyn visiting Gib on December 9.

The independent MP for Islington North has written to Lammy multiple times and coordinated an open letter with 50 other MPs on December 15, urging ministers to meet with the group's lawyers.

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