Commons leader to raise prison move for activist on hunger strike with Lammy
The leader of the Commons has said he will raise the possibility of a prison move for a Palestine Action activist on hunger strike with David Lammy, after a Labour MP urged him to act.
Sir Alan Campbell said he would speak to the Justice Secretary after a question by Brent North MP Barry Gardiner on Thursday about Heba Muraisi, 31, who is on day 67 of her hunger strike. Mr Gardiner said she was “close to death”.
Her next-of-kin told the Press Association on Wednesday that Muraisi, a constituent of the former Labour minister, was having difficulty breathing.
Muraisi is currently being held at HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire.
Mr Gardiner said he hoped she could be moved to HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, as it will be easier for her disabled mother to visit.
Muraisi is one of two remaining hunger strikers who are facing charges related to alleged break-ins on behalf of Palestine Action before the group was banned under terrorism legislation – charges which they deny and have called to be dropped.
Mr Gardiner said: “Delays in the courts system mean that one of my constituents has been in prison awaiting trial on remand for over a year.
“She is in New Hall Prison, 200 miles away from her mother who is disabled and cannot make that journey. She has requested a transfer to Bronzefield prison so her mother can visit.
“Today Heba Muraisi is close to death, because she has been on hunger strike protest for 67 days. I plead with the leader of the House to let common sense and humanity prevail, to urgently intervene, to agree the transfer and also to consider allowing her release on bail to her family home in my constituency.”
Sir Alan said: “If (he) gives me the details of the case, and I’m talking about where the person concerned is currently, then I will obviously raise that with the Justice Secretary.
“On the wider point, we are continually assessing prisoners’ wellbeing, and we will always take appropriate action, including taking prisoners to hospital if their situation requires that. If he raises that issue with me.
“I will not only draw it to the attention of the Justice Secretary, but to make sure that he gets the assurances that he and the family need.”