𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Jeremy Corbyn was brutally slapped down by a Labour minister in the Commons today as he promoted the hunger strike by incarcerated pro-Palestine militants. Mr Corbyn called for an urgent meeting between ministers and the hunger striking prisoners.

A number of individuals involved in a violent Palestine Action protest last year are currently refusing food in protest at their treatment. Courts have already heard allegations that one police officer suffered a spinal fracture after being attacked by a sledgehammer during the protest, which saw radical activists break into Elbit Systems near Bristol. Two of the protesters refusing food are now on day 45 of their hunger strike, while a third is on day 44, and are suffering serious medical impacts as a result, including loss of consciousness.

In parliament today, Mr Corbyn said ministers should meet with the activists’ legal representatives in order to “help” the situation.

He asked: “The minister will be aware that there are a number of prisoners at the present time who are undertaking a hunger strike. They are remand prisoners and some of them don’t have a trial date until 2027.

“There are deep concerns – expressed by them, their families and their legal representatives – about access to medical treatment and the way they’ve been treated when taken to hospital as well.

“To help the situation would the minister be able to meet their legal representatives and families if necessary to discuss the legal situation and try and move forward to help the safety of these prisoners.”

Taking to his feet to respond, junior justice minister Jake Richards simply responded simply: “No.”

Amid chuckles from MPs, he continued: “The Ministry of Justice and the Prison Service has a robust and proper guidance and procedures for when these scenarios come to fruition.

“I am satisfied – and the ministry is satisfied – that those procedures are being enacted and we’ll continue to keep it under review.”

Politicians supporting the Palestine Action criminals have been condemned for their position this week, with Henry Jackson Society fellow Andrew Fox branding them “astonishing”.

He said: “Palestine Action members broke a police officer’s spine with a sledgehammer and damaged our national security by vandalising RAF planes. They are now attempting to blackmail our legal system by refusing food.”

“Sympathies ought to be with the injured police officer, our nation’s defences, and British justice—not with those who attacked them.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: “Palestine Action has committed deliberate criminal damage against various premises, used a sledgehammer to attack a police officer, and deliberately sabotaged RAF planes.

“Using violence to advance a political agenda is never acceptable.”