Fourth Palestine Action hunger striker ends protest after 50 days

A fourth remand detainee awaiting trial for alleged offences relating to the Palestine Action group has ended a hunger strike after more than 50 days.

Amy Gardiner-Gibson, who also goes by the name Amu Gib, has joined three others in ending the strike after reportedly being taken to hospital.

Lawyers for the group set a deadline of Tuesday afternoon for the government to respond to a threat of a High Court challenge.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We want these prisoners to accept support and get better, and we will not create perverse incentives that would encourage more people to put themselves at risk through hunger strikes."

Since the hunger strike began on 2 November, protesters have been taken to hospital on a number of occasions.

Four people have ended their strike, while three others are said to be continuing.

Supporters say an eighth member of the group is intermittently refusing to eat because of an underlying health condition.

Gardiner-Gibson, who is reportedly being held at HMP Bronzefield, jointly started the protest with Qesser Zuhrah on 2 November. It was confirmed on Monday she had ended her strike after 48 days.

The other remaining hunger strikers are Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha and Kamran Ahmad. They are said to have been refusing food for 50 days, 44 days and 43 days respectively - accounts that have not been disputed by officials.

Prison and NHS guidelines make clear that clinicians must oversee treatment decisions for hunger strikers. They can only be given food-related treatments if they consent or it is clear they lack the mental capacity to choose.

Prisoners for Palestine have called for improved treatment of detainees while they are held on remand and for Palestine Action's ban to be lifted.

The High Court has been reviewing the home secretary's decision to proscribe the group and a judgment is expected in the New Year.

Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Lord Timpson said: "While very concerning, hunger strikes are not a new issue for our prisons.

"Over the last five years, we've averaged over 200 a year and we have longstanding procedures in place to ensure prisoner safety."