Demonstrators entered staff areas at HMP Wormwood Scrubs as inmate escalates protest to thirst strike
Protesters breached the grounds of a west London prison on Saturday evening in support of a 22-year-old inmate who has escalated his hunger strike to a thirst strike.
Metropolitan Police detained a group of demonstrators who entered a staff entrance area and locker room at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. The group refused to leave and obstructed staff movement before officers intervened.
“All those involved are currently detained and will be arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass,” a Metropolitan Police statement confirmed. “We will update on the number of arrests when all those involved have been taken into custody.”
The solidarity protest was organised by campaign group Prisoners for Palestine, which reported “at least 20 arrests” in connection with the demonstration on Du Cane Road.
Muhammad Umer Khalid, identified by the campaign group as having limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, is awaiting trial over an alleged break-in at RAF Brize Norton last June and July. He denies charges of criminal damage and entering a prohibited place. His trial is scheduled for 18 January 2027 at the Old Bailey and is expected to last up to eight weeks.
Khalid began his hunger strike in November 2025, initially alongside seven others protesting charges related to Palestine Action, a group classified as terrorist by the UK government. He is now the last remaining striker after the others ended their protest.
On Friday, Khalid began refusing liquids. Prisoners for Palestine described the thirst strike as “extremely dangerous” due to his genetic condition.
According to the campaign group, prison governor Amy Frost met with Khalid on Saturday morning, entering formal negotiations. “In this meeting, she gave verbal agreements to improve Umer’s condition in prison, specifically the censorship he has been facing,” the group stated. The assurances reportedly included daily meetings, 24-hour health monitoring, and potential hospitalisation.
The Ministry of Justice condemned the breach as “completely unacceptable.” A spokesperson said: “At no point was prison security compromised,” but described the incident as an “escalation.”
“While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning,” the spokesperson added.
Khalid appeared via video link at the Old Bailey alongside Amy Gardiner-Gibson, Jony Cink, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, and Lewis Chiaramello in connection with the RAF Brize Norton case.
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is a Category B men’s prison in White City, holding serious offenders on long sentences or remand prisoners.
