A leading doctor has issued a stark warning that eight Palestine Action activists, who are on hunger strike while held in prison awaiting trial, are now dying due to a lack of specialist medical care.
Medical Professionals Sound the Alarm
The urgent assessment comes from Dr James Smith, a qualified emergency physician and lecturer at University College London. He stated that the group, accused of break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of the pro-Palestinian group, require immediate and expert medical attention.
Dr Smith raised the alarm at a press conference in south London on Thursday, 18 December 2025, telling journalists: “The hunger strikers are dying.” He expressed grave concerns over “substandard monitoring and treatment within the prison system.”
His warning is backed by nearly 900 health professionals who have written to key government figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, demanding action.
Families Describe Deteriorating Health and Government Inaction
The eight prisoners began refusing food in protest at being held in custody before their trials. Some have already been hospitalised. Family members provided harrowing accounts of their declining condition.
Rahma Hoxha, sister of Teuta Hoxha who is on day 40 of her strike, said prison guards had called her sister a terrorist despite her being on remand. “She said it feels as if the Government is trying to bury them alive and for them to go quietly,” Hoxha stated.
Shahmina Alam, sister of Kamran Ahmed on day 39 of his strike, reported: “His heart is giving in and his pulse is slowing down, he is losing half a kilogram every day.” She added that the justice system was “hanging on a very thin thread.”
Political Pressure Mounts on Ministers
The crisis has drawn significant political attention. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who attended the press conference, claimed there have been “regular breaches of prison conditions and prison rules.” He directly called on David Lammy to “uphold the prison regulations and make contact with the representatives of the hunger strikers in order to save life.”
Earlier this week, a group of 51 MPs and peers, including 19 from Labour, wrote to Mr Lammy urging him to meet the prisoners' lawyers. Signatories included Labour MPs Rachael Maskell, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Paula Barker, Mary Kelly Foy, and Simon Opher.
However, the government has maintained its position. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said “rules and procedures” are being followed. Prisons minister Lord Timpson stated the service is “very experienced” at dealing with hunger strikes, citing an average of over 200 incidents annually over the past five years. He asserted the processes work well and confirmed the government “will not be meeting any prisoners or their representatives.”
The eight individuals face charges related to alleged break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action before it was banned under terrorism legislation. Four are accused of involvement in a break-in at an Israeli-linked defence firm in 2024, with a trial not expected until May 2026 at the earliest. The other four are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June 2025 and allegedly causing millions of pounds of damage to military jets. They deny all charges and have called for them to be dropped.
