Umer Khalid, a 22-year-old Palestine Action-affiliated prisoner at Wormwood Scrubs in west London, has ended his hunger strike after being hospitalised with organ failure. He escalated his protest on Friday by refusing water, but agreed to end it on Sunday following intensive care treatment.
At a Prisoners for Palestine press conference on Tuesday, British-Palestinian film-maker Saeed Taji Farouky confirmed Khalid had resumed eating and drinking. “He was successful in his hunger strike. Most of his demands were accepted,” Farouky said.
Khalid’s demands included receiving his withheld post and clothes, and lifting restrictions on prison visits. Prisoners for Palestine said these were granted after a meeting with the prison governor. Khalid, who has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, began refusing food in November 2025 as part of a coordinated action by eight prisoners.
Labour MP John McDonnell called for a full inquiry into the prisoners’ treatment, citing concerns over lengthy remand and access to healthcare. The eight prisoners face charges related to alleged break-ins or criminal damage for Palestine Action.
A government spokesperson stated that prisoners are managed in line with policy, including medical checks and hospital transfers when necessary. They added that the prisoners’ demands, including immediate bail, are matters for independent judges.
