Key Points
- UK police arrested 86 individuals on suspicion of aggravated trespass outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London on 24 January 2026, following a protest in support of Palestine Action prisoner Muhammad Umer Khalid, who is on hunger strike.
- Khalid, a 22-year-old activist from Manchester suffering from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), a rare genetic disorder, resumed his hunger strike on 10 January 2026 after a pause and escalated to a thirst strike on 24 January due to deteriorating health and unmet demands.
- Protesters breached prison grounds, obstructed staff access, threatened officers, and entered a staff entrance area but did not breach security, according to Metropolitan Police reports.
- Khalid faces charges related to a June 2025 incident at RAF Brize Norton where Palestine Action activists allegedly damaged military aircraft; his trial is scheduled for January 2027, meaning up to 18 months in remand.
- Demands from Prisoners for Palestine include ending prison censorship on mail/calls/visits, immediate bail, reopening Gaza inquiry into UK involvement, releasing RAF spy flight footage from April 2024 Gaza aid worker killings, and full disclosure of Brize Norton damage figures.
- Previous hunger strikes: Khalid ended a 12-day strike in December 2025 due to health decline; three other strikers ended theirs on 14 January 2026 after government denied Elbit Systems contract.
- Ministry of Justice called the protest escalation “deeply concerning” and “completely unacceptable.”
- Palestine Action, proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July 2025, opposes UK arms supplies to Israel; over 890 arrests linked to pro-Palestine protests in UK recently, many for supporting the group.
- Francesca Nadin of Prisoners for Palestine warned of “significant risk” to Khalid’s life due to medical neglect.
- Khalid told Al Jazeera: “The only thing that seems to have any impact… is drastic action… This strike reflects the severity of my demands.”
West London (West London News) January 27, 2026 – Metropolitan Police arrested 86 protesters outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs after they breached the prison grounds to demand urgent action for Muhammad Umer Khalid, a 22-year-old Palestine Action supporter on hunger and thirst strike amid critical health concerns. The demonstration highlighted Khalid’s plight, including his rare genetic condition limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, as supporters accused authorities of medical neglect and wrongful remand without trial. Police acted when protesters refused to leave, blocked staff, and accessed a staff entrance, though no full security breach occurred.
What Sparked the Protest at Wormwood Scrubs?
The rally centred on Khalid’s escalating protest action inside the prison. As reported by Al Jazeera journalists, Khalid, held on remand for alleged involvement in a Palestine Action direct action at RAF Brize Norton airbase in June 2025, resumed hunger striking on 10 January 2026 after pausing a prior 12-day effort in December 2025 due to severe health decline. He escalated to refusing water on 24 January, stating to Al Jazeera via intermediary:
“The only thing that seems to have any impact, whether that is positive or negative, is drastic action. The strike reflects the severity of this imprisonment. Being in this prison is not living life. Our lives have been paused. The world spins, and we sit in a concrete room. This strike reflects the severity of my demands.”
Prisoners for Palestine, in a letter to the Home Secretary dated around 21 January 2026, detailed consistent medical neglect, harassment, and breaches of prison regulations by staff. The group noted Khalid’s warnings of thirst strike if no government meeting occurred.
Who Is Muhammad Umer Khalid and Why Is He Striking?
Khalid, originating from Manchester, suffers from LGMD, causing muscle weakening in hips, thighs, shoulders, and arms, heightening risks of kidney failure, arrhythmias, or respiratory failure during strikes, per medical expert Dr Fluxman as cited by Novara Media. As per Middle East Eye reporting, he demands immediate bail, end to censorship on mail, calls, visits (noting only one visit, a postcard, two emails in three weeks), a reopened Gaza inquiry per Jeremy Corbyn’s June 2025 bill, RAF spy flight footage release from the April 2024 killing of British aid workers John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby, and Brize Norton damage disclosure.
In a statement via Samidoun, Khalid urged:
“We must now continue to crush the protective skull of Zionism… you can’t imprison resistance and you can’t kill a revolution. Liberation is a promise and victory is coming insha’Allah.”
His trial, set for 7 January 2027, follows charges he denies related to aircraft damage.
What Did Police Say About the Arrests?
Metropolitan Police confirmed 86 arrests for aggravated trespass on Saturday evening, 24 January 2026. According to a police statement reported by Yahoo News UK, protesters “did not comply with orders to vacate the area, obstructed prison personnel from entering and exiting, and made threats toward law enforcement. Additionally, several… succeeded in accessing a staff entrance.” Anadolu Agency echoed:
“The group refused to leave when ordered, blocked prison staff… and made threats toward officers.”
Sky News noted the arrests followed a breach supporting a “Palestine Action-linked activist on hunger strike.” Times of Israel liveblog cited police X post on the Wormwood Scrubs incident. No injuries or further breaches reported.
How Did Authorities Respond to the Breach?
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson, as quoted by The Independent, described the incident as “deeply concerning” and stated:
“The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable.”
Prisoners for Palestine accused prison governor Amy Frost of neglect, urging emails for intervention.
What Is the Context of Palestine Action and UK Arrests?
Palestine Action, banned as a terrorist group in July 2025 under Terrorism Act, faces up to 14-year penalties for support; it campaigns against UK arms to Israel, including Elbit facilities. BBC reported 890 arrests at a September 2025 London demo, mostly for supporting the proscribed group, with 17 for assaults amid claims of peaceful resistance.
Islam Times noted over 2,000 Palestinian supporters arrested recently, many detained long without trial; protesters held signs like “I oppose genocide; I support Palestine Action,” decrying terrorism labels.
What Are Critics Saying About Khalid’s Treatment?
Francesca Nadin of Prisoners for Palestine told The Mirror: “The hunger strike is far from over, and Umer’s life is at significant risk due to the neglect… from prison officials. This cruel disregard… Immediate state intervention is necessary.” The group highlighted international support, Derry council motion, and medical warnings to NHS.
Press TV reported Khalid’s “highly dangerous” thirst strike amid remand. New Arab warned of heightened risks from LGMD.
What Broader Demands Fuel the Hunger Strikes?
Prisoners for Palestine’s letter lists: end censorship as a human right; bail to prepare trials freely (some near two years remanded); Gaza inquiry into UK weapons/surveillance/RAF bases; RAF footage for aid workers’ deaths; Brize Norton figures; government dialogue. Three strikers ended on 14 January after Elbit contract denial.
Implications for UK Pro-Palestine Activism?
The arrests, per Middle East Eye, involved 86 protesting the last of seven strikers. Protesters accuse excessive force on peaceful demos; police cite breaches. With President Trump’s US influence and UK policy, tensions persist over Gaza complicity claims.
