Two remand prisoners awaiting trial for alleged crimes linked to Palestine Action have ended a hunger strike protest, but five more are said to continue refusing to eat.
The detainees, in several prisons, have made a series of demands, including the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action and the closure of a defense company with links to Israel.
The two detainees who have been protesting the longest have refused food for 45 days, according to their supporters, a claim that has not been disputed by officials.
Three people were arrested following a protest outside HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, in support of one of the prisoners.
Speaking to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said “rules and procedures” were being followed in relation to the hunger strike.
Lawyers for the group have repeatedly written to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy requesting a meeting, saying there is a “real and increasingly likely potential” for their clients to die as a result of their protest.
Fifty-one MPs and peers also wrote to Lammy asking him to meet with lawyers.
The protests, which began in November, involve people who have been charged with crimes related to alleged break-ins or criminal damage in the name of Palestine Action, charges they deny.
All of the alleged incidents occurred before Palestine Action was banned under anti-terrorism legislation, but their trials will not take place before next year.
Supporters of the detainees confirmed to BBC News on Wednesday that Jon Cink and Umer Khalid had ended their hunger strike after 41 and 13 days respectively.
Qesser Zuhrah and Amy Gardiner-Gibson are said to have each refused to eat for 45 days. Heba Muraisi began her protest a day later. Teuta Hoxha is said to have refused for 38 days and Kamran Ahmed 37 days.
Supporters describe an eighth prisoner who intermittently joined the protest but then stopped due to an underlying health condition.
Some members of the group have had spells in hospital but in each case have been discharged or self-discharged.
Her party MP Zarah Sultana has protested outside HMP Bronzefield, demanding urgent medical attention for Qesser Zuhrah, who is detained there.
On Wednesday, an ambulance arrived at the prison and a video posted on social media showed clashes between protesters and police.
Police were called after protesters “attempted to enter restricted areas,” Surrey Police said.
According to police, a prison staff member was assaulted as officers attempted to remove protesters from the building.
A 29-year-old man from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning bodily harm.
“At the time of arresting this man, several people became confrontational with police and a police officer was assaulted,” Surrey Police added.
“Protesters then blocked the road, delaying our ability to bring medical assistance to the injured officer.”
A woman, 28, from Worcester Park, Surrey, was arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm, and a man, 28, from Glasgow, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to a police vehicle.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The escalation of the protest at HMP Bronzefield is completely unacceptable.
“While we support the right to protest, it is deeply concerning that a staff member has been injured and protesters are gaining access to staff entrances, putting safety and hard-working staff at risk.”
A spokesperson for the South East Coast Ambulance Service declined to comment on whether the ambulance had transported a protester to hospital.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sir Keir that ministers had refused to meet representatives of the protesters and that one of the group had been taken to hospital.
“Many people are very concerned about the regular violations of prison conditions and rules regarding these hunger strikes,” he said.
“Will you arrange for the Ministry of Justice to meet with representatives of the hunger strikers to discuss these violations of the conditions they currently experience?”
Sir Keir responded: “He will appreciate that there are rules and procedures in relation to hunger strikes, and we are following those rules and procedures.”
On Tuesday, Justice Minister Jake Richards said in response to an earlier question from Corbyn that he would not meet the group’s lawyers and that the Ministry of Justice had “robust and appropriate guidance and procedures” for such scenarios.
“I am satisfied, and the ministry is satisfied, that those procedures are being implemented and we will continue to keep them under review.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The welfare of prisoners is continually assessed and appropriate action is taken, including hospital treatment where necessary.”
They added that Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service had assured ministers that all cases of food refusal to prisoners were being handled in accordance with relevant policy and with appropriate medical assessment and support, in accordance with prisoners’ rights.
