Palestine Action has initiated legal proceedings against the British government, filing a formal pre-action letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy on December 22. This action comes as seven hunger strikers involved in the protest have been hospitalized due to the critical stage of their protest. One activist has reportedly abstained from food for 51 days, severely impacting their health. The group alleges that the government has disregarded its own safety protocols and ignored direct communication from the strikers, as well as neglecting policies within the prison safety framework. Lawyers are demanding an immediate response from the Ministry of Justice within 24 hours, emphasizing the escalating risk of death and seeking an urgent meeting to de-escalate the situation.
The government has consistently rejected the strikers' demands, with a spokesperson stating that officials will not establish "perverse incentives" that could encourage self-harm among inmates. Ministers assert that current prison procedures are being followed, and Lord Timpson noted that hunger strikes are a common occurrence in British prisons, with approximately 200 cases annually. The Ministry of Justice maintains that adequate medical care is being provided and refutes allegations of withheld hospital treatment, confirming continuous monitoring of all strikers by prison healthcare teams. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that government intervention would be unconstitutional, citing the need to respect the independence of the court system given the serious criminal charges faced by the activists.