DAVID LAMMY sparked outrage today with a refusal to meet MPs worried their constituents on hunger strike in prison may come to serious harm.

The Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister was asked by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for a meeting to discuss the “very troubling conditions” of prisoners being held without trial for alleged offences relating to Palestine Action on November 20.

He said that he was “gravely concerned” for the well-being of his constituent Amu Gib who marked their 40th day refusing food today.

Gib has been detained over alleged offences at RAF Brize Norton since June but won’t face trial until January 2027.

Five hunger strikers have been taken to hospital. Their lawyers warned of a “real and increasingly likely potential” their clients will die in prison on Tuesday.

In his letter, Mr Corbyn said that he would seek assurances from Mr Lammy that he would take steps to protect the political prisoners’ rights.

The detainees have all been charged with offences relating to alleged break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action, charges that are denied, before the group was banned under terrorism legislation.

Four of the group are accused of playing roles in the break-in to an Israeli-linked defence firm in 2024.

The other four are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June and allegedly causing millions of pounds worth of damage to two military jets.

As of today, 41 MPs have signed an early day motion by Labour MP John McDonnell calling on Mr Lammy to intervene “urgently to ensure the treatment of the prisoners is humane.”

Mr Corbyn revealed today that Mr Lammy had replied, saying: “Considering the ongoing proceedings, it would not be appropriate for me to meet with you to discuss the situation in any greater detail.”

The High Court is expected to give a judgement on a judicial review of the Home Office proscription of Palestine Action in the coming weeks.

The letter added that “while I appreciate that Ms Gib is a constituent of yours, you have written about her, rather than on behalf of her at her request.”  

Replying in writing, Mr Corbyn, who visited Gib in HMP Bronzefield on Tuesday, described Mr Lammy’s refusal as “astonishing… given the extremely serious and time-sensitive nature of the situation.”

He attached proof of Gib’s permissions to him and questioned Mr Lammy’s claim that the safety of prisoners “remains our paramount concern.”

Mr Corbyn said that the response failed to address “the very serious allegations of inconsistent and unequal medical treatment” of the detainees and repeated his request for a meeting.

More than 2,700 people were arrested in protests against the banning of the direct action group in July.

Today Gib’s close friend Nida Jafri handed out leaflets outside the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the plight of the hunger strikers, ahead of a protest calling for their release on bail in the evening.

She said: “Lammy has attempted to shut down the possibility of meeting with concerned MPs. 

“He’s unwilling to confront the impact of the strike and the mass support it’s garnering. 

“MoJ has failed to respond to strikers in the mandated 30 days too. 

“But make no mistake, we will continue to campaign relentlessly for the strikers’ demands, including immediate bail and an end to the UK’s complicity in genocide through its partnerships with Elbit Systems. 

“My loved one Amu Gib is on Day 40 of hunger strike. Five of them have been hospitalised. 

“This stage is critical. Lammy must meet with us urgently.”

A Stop the War Coalition spokeswoman said: “First David Lammy claims to know nothing about the hunger strikers in his prisons and now he refuses to meet with one of their MPs. 

“His behaviour is utterly vindictive, but maybe we should expect nothing less from a war criminal with blood on his hands, completely lacking a moral compass. 

“He couldn’t care less about the lives of these young people, who are guilty of nothing under the law. Their treatment by the state is a gross travesty of justice. They must be bailed immediately.”

The MoJ said: “The Deputy Prime Minister is being kept informed of the situation.

“We continually assess prisoners’ wellbeing and will always take the appropriate action, including taking prisoners to hospital if they are assessed as needing treatment by a medical professional.”