Imprisoned activists from the pro-Palestine group have initiated legal action against the UK government, as several members on a prolonged hunger strike have been admitted to hospital with rapidly deteriorating health.
Legal Letter Demands Urgent Government Response
A legal firm representing the hunger strikers sent a pre-action letter to Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy on Monday 22 December 2025. The letter accuses the government of abandoning its own prison safety policy framework. It demands a response within 24 hours, stating the matter is one of extreme urgency as the risk of the strikers dying increases daily.
The activists claim to have sent multiple letters to Mr Lammy without receiving any reply. The urgent communication, seen by the Press Association, also requests an immediate meeting to discuss the declining health of the prisoners and potential resolutions.
Hospitalisations Amidst Prolonged Hunger Strike
The collective hunger strike began on 2 November, and since then, seven prisoners have required hospital treatment. Among those hospitalised are Amu Gib, 30, from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, and Kamran Ahmed, 28, from Pentonville Prison in London.
Amu Gib is now on day 51 of refusing food and was admitted to hospital on Saturday. Reports indicate their condition has declined so severely they now require a wheelchair. Kamran Ahmed is currently on day 43 of his strike.
Last Thursday, emergency physician Dr James Smith warned journalists that some of the activists "are dying" and need specialist medical intervention.
Charges and Official Government Stance
The prisoners face charges relating to alleged break-ins and criminal damage carried out on behalf of Palestine Action, prior to the group being banned under terrorism legislation. Gib is accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton and spray-painting two RAF Voyager planes. Ahmed faces charges for allegedly causing £1 million of damage at a UK site of an Israel-based defence firm near Bristol in August 2024.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson strongly refuted the claims, stating: "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."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said "rules and procedures" are being followed. Prisons minister Lord Timpson asserted the service is "very experienced" in handling hunger strikes with "robust and working" systems, adding that the Prison Service "will not be meeting" any prisoners or their representatives.
