Two people are now 42 days into their hunger strike

Pro-Palestine activists have sprayed the Ministry of Justice building in London with red paint, as eight prisoners allegedly affiliated with Palestine Action continue their hunger strike while they await trial.

Officers were called to the scene at 7.35am on Friday, “after protesters began spraying paint on the front of the building”, Scotland Yard said.

Two protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

The protesters say the red paint was to symbolise blood.

They also demand Justice Secretary David Lammy meet with the hunger strikers, amid concerns over their deteriorating health.

“We have brought the matter to David Lammy because he continues to ignore the friends and family, the lawyers of the hunger strikers,” one demonstrator said in a video posted online.

“He ignores the fact that their lives are at imminent danger.”

Two of the strikers are now on their 42nd day without food, while five of them have spent time in hospital, according to a letter sent to the Deputy Prime Minister by lawyers earlier this week.

Pro-Palestine activists have sprayed the Ministry of Justice building in London with red paint, as eight prisoners allegedly affiliated with Palestine Action continue their hunger strike while they await trial

The lawyers claimed there was a “real and increasingly likely potential” that their clients will die in prison as part of their protest.

Without bail, two of the strikers are due to be held on remand for up to 19 months. A further four will have spent 18 months in custody before their court date, while the final two are expected to spend a minimum of 17 months awaiting trial.

It is thought to be the UK’s biggest hunger strike since 1981’s IRA protests, led by Bobby Sands.

The protests are taking place in five separate prisons, with the defendants all charged with offences relating to alleged break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action before the group was banned under terrorism legislation. All charges have been denied.

Police confirmed two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage

Four of the group are accused of participating in a break-in at an Israeli-linked defence firm in 2024. They are due to go on trial in May next year at the earliest.

The remaining four are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June, where it is alleged they caused £7million in damages after spray painting two jets.

They are demanding an end to Israeli weapons firms in the UK, lifting the ban on Palestine Action and improved prison conditions.

The protesters demanded Justice Secretary David Lammy meet with the eight people on hunger strikes in prison

Jeremy Corbyn called the Justice Secretary’s apparent refusal to meet with the strikers “unacceptable” on Thursday, while Mr Lammy insisted that prisoner safety “remains our paramount concern”.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Vandalising public property is totally unacceptable and puts unnecessary costs on the police and British taxpayers.

“His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have assured ministers that all cases of prisoner food refusal are being managed in accordance with the relevant policy, and with appropriate medical assessment and support, consistent with prisoner rights.