Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has lost his appeal against an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court, a decision handed down by the Court of Appeal in London on Wednesday. The far-right activist and former English Defence League leader was originally jailed in October 2024 after admitting to ten breaches of a High Court injunction that barred him from repeating false and defamatory allegations against Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian refugee who had previously won a libel case against Robinson.
Background to the Case
The legal saga began after a viral video in 2018 showed Hijazi being assaulted at his school in Huddersfield. Robinson subsequently made unsubstantiated claims on social media, accusing Hijazi of violent behavior, including attacking girls at his school. These statements led to a successful libel suit by Hijazi, resulting in Robinson being ordered to pay £100,000 in damages and legal costs, as well as being subjected to an injunction preventing further repetition of the allegations.
Despite the court order, Robinson persisted in making the claims, including at a public rally in Trafalgar Square in 2024. His repeated violations culminated in the contempt of court conviction and the 18-month prison sentence.
Court of Appeal Ruling
Robinson’s legal team argued that his ongoing solitary confinement at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes was having a detrimental effect on his mental health, citing diagnoses of ADHD and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. They contended that these conditions, combined with his segregation, warranted a reduction in his sentence. However, the Court of Appeal rejected these arguments, stating that the original judge’s interpretation of the law and rationale for the penalty demonstrated a careful and appropriate approach.
The court did note that Robinson could potentially reduce his sentence by up to four months if he "purged" his contempt by removing the offending material from his social media accounts—a step he has not fully taken, despite unpinning some content ahead of his appeal hearing.
Prison Conditions and Solitary Confinement
Robinson remains in segregation at HMP Woodhill, a measure authorities say is necessary for his safety due to threats against him from other inmates. While his lawyers and supporters claim this isolation is exacerbating his mental health issues, the Ministry of Justice has maintained that his conditions are "substantively more permissive" than standard regimes, with access to a laptop, emails, several hours of exercise, and four hours of daily phone calls. Robinson has also received over 80 visits since his incarceration began.
Public and Social Media Reactions
The case has ignited sharp debate online and in British society. Supporters of Robinson, who view him as a political prisoner, have rallied to his defense, arguing that his sentence is excessive and motivated by his controversial views. Detractors, however, assert that the punishment is justified, emphasizing the importance of upholding court orders and the rule of law, especially when it comes to protecting individuals from defamation and harassment.
Conclusion
With the Court of Appeal’s decision, Robinson is set to remain in prison until at least July 2025, unless he takes steps to purge his contempt. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on enforcing court orders and combating the spread of false information, particularly when it has real-world consequences for those targeted.