Senior parliamentarians have issued an urgent demand for a comprehensive inquiry into what they describe as the "unacceptable" and "morally outrageous" treatment of pro-Palestine hunger strikers currently held in British prisons. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and MP Diane Abbott are among the prominent figures calling for Justice Secretary David Lammy to launch a full investigation into the conditions faced by these detainees.
Critical Health Concerns and Prisoner Demands
The calls for an inquiry follow the conclusion of Umer Khalid's seventeen-day hunger strike and three-day thirst strike, which ended only after the protester was admitted to intensive care suffering from multiple organ failure. Khalid called off his protest following a meeting with HMP Wormwood Scrubs governor Amy Frost, where concerns about his detention conditions were addressed.
Following their discussion, Khalid was granted access to previously withheld personal post and clothing, while restrictions on his visits – which had been severely curtailed since he was remanded in custody in July 2025 – were also lifted. This case has highlighted broader concerns about the treatment of pro-Palestine activists within the UK prison system.
Parliamentary Condemnation and Calls for Justice
At a Prisoners for Palestine press conference, John McDonnell stated emphatically: "I would like the Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy now to have a full inquiry into how these prisoners have been treated, because I do believe most people will find it's unacceptable that they are on remand for so long and the way they have been treated in prison itself."
McDonnell specifically raised concerns about access to healthcare facilities, noting that some prisoners had been in "dangerous plight" during their protests. He added: "What we want to see is a review by the Secretary of State for Justice on the whole issue of their detention and their treatment so that we avoid this happening in the future. People shouldn't have to put their lives at risk in this way just to secure an element of fair treatment and justice under our system."
Broader Political Context and Human Rights Concerns
Diane Abbott framed the issue within wider human rights and political contexts, stating: "Everyone has the right to protest, or should have. Those rights are enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. We know the ECHR is under attack from the Right, but this government still says it supports it. But there is one thing to say you support it, but it is quite another to support it in practice."
Abbott connected the treatment of hunger strikers to the government's stance on Gaza, arguing: "We know that this government has supported the genocide in Gaza. Keir Starmer said very early on that Israel did have the right to withhold food and water. The British government has also gone much further than other European governments that are also staunch supporters of Israel."
She continued: "The public does not agree. In poll after poll, the public supports Gaza, opposes Israel's actions, and opposes the British government support for those actions. The government's response to this criticism and the protests that inevitably follow has been a police one. They cannot win the argument, so they demonise and criminalise their opponents. They have treated protestors as terrorists."
Medical Consequences and Legal Action
The physical toll on hunger strikers has been severe, with eight pro-Palestine protesters hospitalised following their demonstrations. The medical emergency involving Umer Khalid, who suffered multiple organ failure requiring intensive care, has particularly alarmed campaigners and politicians alike.
In December, a law firm representing the hunger strikers initiated the first stage of legal proceedings against the British government, signalling escalating legal challenges to the treatment of these detainees. This legal action underscores the growing institutional response to what critics describe as systematic mistreatment.
Abbott concluded with a powerful endorsement of the hunger strikers' cause: "That is why we should all support those who have been on hunger or other strikes. How they have been treated is a moral outrage. They are fighting for all our rights to protest. And they are fighting to stop the genocide in Gaza. They deserve the support of every decent human being."
The situation continues to develop as pressure mounts on the Justice Secretary to respond to parliamentary demands for transparency and reform regarding the treatment of politically motivated prisoners within the UK justice system.
