Adil Ray, a presenter on ITV's Good Morning Britain, delivered a stark and emotional warning during Friday's broadcast, stating that activists on a prolonged hunger strike in a Surrey prison "could die".
"A Serious Situation": The Hunger Strike Warning
The discussion on the December 19 episode turned to the plight of eight campaigners from the group Palestine Action, who have been refusing food at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. Adil Ray, co-hosting with Charlotte Hawkins, revealed the protest had reached a critical point, noting some participants had been without food for 48 days.
Ray drew a sobering historical parallel, stating: "I'm too young to remember, but in 1981, IRA prisoners went on hunger strike. Some of them died within 46 days. It's a serious situation." He emphasised the urgency, pointing out the activists are on remand and questioned whether the government should intervene more directly.
Medical Crisis and Calls for Government Action
The hunger strike, which began on November 2, has been described by the campaign group Prisoners for Palestine as the biggest coordinated prison hunger strike in Britain in nearly 40 years. The situation has escalated significantly, prompting major concern.
Panellist Salma Shah confirmed the severity, revealing that six of the eight strikers were recently in critical condition, with two having since ceased their protest due to their deteriorating health. She stressed the need for medical teams to persuade the remaining individuals to end their fast, arguing that "losing lives is not going to fundamentally change what they want to change."
This crisis has mobilised over 800 doctors, lawyers, and family members, who have written to Justice Secretary David Lammy urging him to meet with the strikers' legal representatives.
Ministry of Justice Response and Ongoing Concern
When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated: "The Deputy Prime Minister has responded to and will continue to respond to correspondence on this issue, and is being kept informed of the situation. We continually assess prisoners' wellbeing and will always take the appropriate action, including taking prisoners to hospital if they are assessed as needing treatment by a medical professional."
Despite this assurance, the warnings from the Good Morning Britain studio highlight a deepening humanitarian and legal dilemma within the UK's justice system. The programme's hosts framed the issue as a matter of urgent priority, with Ray's heartfelt plea underscoring the very real fear that lives are now at immediate risk.
