Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana has staged a dramatic protest outside HMP Bronzefield, vowing not to leave until a critically ill hunger striker is transferred to hospital for urgent medical care.
MP's Defiant Stand at Prison Gates
On the morning of December 17, 2025, the MP took to social media to share her location and declare her intentions. In a firm statement, Sultana asserted she would remain at the prison until authorities allowed an ambulance to transport Qesser Zuhrah, a prisoner who has reportedly been on a hunger strike for over 40 days, to a medical facility.
The MP, a founding member of Your Party and formerly a Labour MP until July 2024, claimed in a post on X that Zuhrah had been waiting for 14 hours for the urgent care she desperately needs. Sultana added that she had contacted the government regarding the situation but had received no response.
Background of the Hunger Strike and Celebrity Backing
The hunger strike was initiated by prisoners linked to Palestine Action in protest against their alleged mistreatment. Reports indicate that some of these individuals, referred to as the 'Filton 24' and 'Brize Norton 5', have been held for over a year without trial for actions targeting Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems. Campaigners have condemned this as a "grotesque violation" of British justice.
The protest has garnered significant high-profile support. Over 200 figures from music, film, literature, and sport have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, warning of a "life or death" situation in British jails. Notable signatories include author Sally Rooney, musicians from The Pogues and Lankum, Belfast rap trio Kneecap, and boxer Tyrone McKenna.
In a pointed message to the new Labour government, producer David Holmes cautioned, "Don’t be like Thatcher! It will not end well for anyone including the Labour Government." The health of several strikers has severely declined, with five already having been hospitalised.
Political Pressure and Wider Campaign
Sultana was joined by fellow campaigners outside the Surrey prison, amplifying the call for action. She is also among more than 50 MPs and Peers who have signed a letter urging Justice Secretary David Lammy to meet with the lawyers representing those on hunger strike.
The stand-off at HMP Bronzefield highlights growing tensions over the treatment of protest-related prisoners and the use of prolonged detention without trial. Sultana's direct action places immediate pressure on the prison service and the Ministry of Justice to address what she and her supporters view as a critical medical and humanitarian emergency unfolding behind bars.
