Justice Secretary David Lammy has declined a meeting with pro-Palestine prisoners who are on a hunger strike, as confirmed by Prisons Minister James Timpson. Timpson stated that neither he nor the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with them, emphasizing the equal treatment of all prisoners. He highlighted that there have been more than 200 hunger strike incidents annually over the past five years, asserting the prison system’s capability to handle such situations effectively.
The government is under scrutiny regarding the well-being of the inmates, particularly eight Palestine Action activists who have engaged in a hunger strike while awaiting trial, leading some to be hospitalized. Supporters have noted that some prisoners have been refusing food for over 45 days, with concerns raised about their deteriorating health conditions.
A plea from a group of 51 MPs and peers urged Lammy to engage with the lawyers representing the hunger-striking prisoners. In response to these demands, Lord Timpson reiterated the principle of treating all prisoners equally and cited the importance of maintaining the judiciary’s independence in the justice system.
Concerns were raised about the treatment of hunger-striking prisoners, with queries about potential force-feeding. Lord Timpson emphasized that healthcare professionals are responsible for deciding how to support hunger strikers medically, whether in prison or a hospital setting.
In a parliamentary session, Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn highlighted the lack of substantive response from the Ministry of Justice to the group’s concerns. He emphasized the government’s responsibility for the welfare and medical care of all prisoners, including those participating in protest actions.
Labour MP John McDonnell suggested the appointment of an independent mediator to facilitate dialogue between hunger-striking prisoners and authorities to prevent a potential tragedy. Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell reiterated the government’s commitment to prisoner welfare and expressed hope for a positive resolution to the situation.
The government’s handling of the hunger strike issue remains a point of contention, with calls for a balanced approach to address the concerns raised by the hunger-striking prisoners and ensure their well-being.