Mother's Appeal Denied Over Controversial Tweet Sentence
Lucy Connolly, a former childminder from Northampton, has lost her appeal against a 31-month prison sentence for inciting racial hatred, following a high-profile case that has sparked national debate over free speech and sentencing.
Background of the Case
Lucy Connolly, 41, was jailed in October 2024 after posting a tweet on July 29, 2024, in the immediate aftermath of the Southport knife attack, which left three young girls dead. In her post, Connolly called for "mass deportation now" and urged that hotels housing asylum seekers be "set on fire." The tweet, which was viewed 310,000 times before being deleted within hours, was widely condemned and led to her arrest on August 6, 2024.
Connolly pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred at Birmingham Crown Court and was sentenced to 31 months in prison, with eligibility for release on license after serving 40% of her term.
The Appeal and Court Ruling
On May 20, 2025, the Court of Appeal, led by Lord Justice Holroyde, rejected Connolly's appeal. The judges found "no arguable basis" that the original sentence was "manifestly excessive," dismissing arguments that mitigating factors, such as her emotional state and personal grief, should have led to a reduced sentence.
Connolly's legal team argued that she had not fully understood the implications of her guilty plea, particularly regarding the intent to incite violence. She told the court that she was "extremely angry, deeply upset," and "distressed by the deaths of those children," and insisted there was "absolutely not" any intention to cause harm. However, the court concluded that, as an "intelligent and articulate" person, she understood the consequences of her plea.
The judges also noted that Connolly did not post a message of support for the victims or direct her anger at the attacker, but instead "chose to incite serious violence against large numbers of persons," which weighed heavily against her.
Family and Public Reaction
Ray Connolly, Lucy's husband and a former Conservative councillor, expressed heartbreak over the decision, describing the 284 days of separation as "very hard," especially for their 12-year-old daughter. He called the sentence "shocking and unfair," emphasizing that Lucy deleted the tweet within hours and was not a racist, citing her history of caring for children from diverse backgrounds as a childminder.
Supporters, including the Free Speech Union, criticized the sentence as "grossly disproportionate," and prominent political figures such as former Prime Minister Liz Truss and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman have cited the case as evidence of a biased justice system. A fundraiser to support Connolly's legal costs has raised over $108,000.
Wider Implications
The case has reignited debate in the UK over the boundaries of free speech, the role of social media, and the proportionality of sentences for online hate crimes. Critics argue that Connolly's sentence is intended to serve as a warning to others, while supporters of the ruling maintain that incitement to violence, especially in a volatile context, must be met with serious consequences.
Connolly will remain in custody and is expected to serve at least 40% of her sentence before being eligible for release on license.