The health of several Palestine Action activists on hunger strike in prison is rapidly deteriorating, with supporters warning they are now within days of potential death. The situation has ignited fresh debate over state responsibility and the pace of the justice system, prompting a former senior judge to call for immediate intervention from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Former Judge Urges DPP to Act on Bail
Stephen Sedley, a former appeal court judge, has argued that while temporary release for prisoners awaiting trial is a judicial matter, the state is not absolved of responsibility for those refusing food. He highlights the "almost unbelievable length of time" the court system is taking to bring these cases to trial.
In a significant proposal, Sedley suggests it is open to the DPP or the Attorney General to notify defence lawyers that if a fresh bail application is made, they will cooperate in bringing it swiftly before the High Court and will not oppose the grant of bail. He notes the High Court's tradition of prioritising hearings concerning personal liberty and asserts any final decision would remain with the judiciary, not the executive.
Public Protest and Political Condemnation
The crisis has spilled onto the streets, with a demonstration held in Wakefield on 29 December 2025. A photograph from the event captured a protester holding a sign in support of one detainee, Heba Muraisi, underscoring the growing public concern.
The government's approach has also drawn sharp political criticism. Writer Roshi Fernando, in a searing indictment, connected the plight of the hunger strikers to a wider failure of leadership. She cited Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to attend an Arsenal football match in September 2025 while fascist marches occurred in London, endangering communities of colour.
Fernando challenged ministers, who have been warned they lack an emotional link with voters, to "stop carrying on with normal business" while individuals starve themselves in prison cells, labelling Starmer the "chief equivocator."
A System Under Scrutiny
The unfolding situation places intense scrutiny on the UK's criminal justice process, where prolonged pre-trial detention intersects with extreme protest. The core demand from supporters and legal observers is for accelerated judicial review to prevent fatal outcomes.
With the prisoners' health declining, the ball now appears to be in the court of the prosecuting authorities. Whether they will take the step suggested by Sedley to facilitate expedited bail hearings could be a decisive factor in the coming days, as the nation watches a high-stakes standoff between activist resistance and state procedure.
