The UK government is facing a formal legal challenge from the activist group Palestine Action, which accuses ministers of abandoning their own prison safety policies. This dramatic escalation comes as several imprisoned members of the group have been hospitalised with rapidly declining health, including one individual on the 51st day of a hunger strike.
Urgent Legal Proceedings Initiated
Palestine Action has served a pre-action letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy, marking the start of potential court proceedings. The group states that its previous written communications to the Justice Secretary have gone unanswered, forcing this legal route.
The letter, sent on Monday 22 December 2025, demands an official response from the government within a strict 24-hour deadline. It underscores the critical and immediate risk to the lives of the hunger strikers and calls for an urgent meeting to resolve the crisis.
Government Denies Creating 'Perverse Incentives'
In response to the allegations, the Ministry of Justice has firmly rejected the claims. A government spokesperson stated that they would not create what they termed 'perverse incentives' by deviating from standard procedure.
Both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prisons Minister Lord Timpson have backed this position, asserting that all established rules and processes are being correctly followed in the handling of the imprisoned activists.
A Deteriorating Health Crisis Behind Bars
The core of the legal action hinges on the deteriorating medical condition of the protesters. Palestine Action contends that the government's failure to intervene constitutes a breach of its duty of care and its own framework for ensuring inmate safety.
The hospitalisation of multiple strikers, particularly the individual who has consumed only water for over seven weeks, is cited as clear evidence of the policy failure. The activists argue that the state's inaction has directly contributed to this severe health emergency.
With the pre-action letter now delivered, the government has a matter of hours to formulate its formal reply before the campaign group considers filing a full judicial review, setting the stage for a high-profile legal clash over prison welfare and protest rights.
