Justice Secretary David Lammy has declined a meeting with pro-Palestine prisoners currently on a hunger strike, according to Prisons Minister James Timpson. Timpson stated that neither he nor the Deputy Prime Minister would meet the prisoners, emphasizing the equal treatment of all inmates within the prison system. He highlighted the existence of robust protocols to address hunger strike incidents, citing over 200 occurrences annually in the past five years.
Concerns have been raised about the well-being of the hunger striking prisoners, particularly eight Palestine Action activists facing charges related to group activities. Reports indicate some of the individuals have been without food for more than 45 days, with medical experts warning of potential fatalities among the hunger strikers.
Pressure on the government has increased, prompting a group of 51 MPs and peers to call on Lammy to engage with the prisoners’ legal representatives. Responding to these demands, Lord Timpson reiterated the principle of treating all prisoners equally, emphasizing the independence of the judiciary system.
Lord Timpson expressed a desire for the hunger strikers to cooperate with healthcare professionals to improve their health conditions. He assured that the prison system, in collaboration with NHS partners, is well-equipped to manage hunger strikes effectively.
Regarding concerns of force-feeding, Lord Timpson emphasized that medical professionals determine the appropriate support for hunger strikers, whether within the prison or hospital setting, based on medical assessments.
In a parliamentary session, Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn highlighted the lack of a substantive response from the Ministry of Justice concerning the hunger strikers. He called for the authorities to uphold their responsibility for the welfare and medical care of all prisoners, including those engaged in protest actions.
Labour MP John McDonnell proposed the appointment of an independent mediator to facilitate dialogue between the hunger strikers and authorities, aiming to prevent potential tragedies. Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell reassured MPs of the government’s commitment to prisoner welfare and pledged to explore suitable resolutions for the ongoing situation.