Tommy Robinson, the British far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has lost his appeal against an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court, marking a significant legal and public moment in the ongoing debate over free speech and judicial authority in the United Kingdom.

Background and Legal Proceedings

Robinson, 42, was jailed in October 2024 after admitting to ten breaches of a High Court order originally issued in 2021. The injunction barred him from repeating false and defamatory allegations against Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian refugee who had previously won a high-profile libel case against Robinson. The case stemmed from Robinson’s viral social media posts and videos in which he falsely claimed that Hijazi, then a schoolboy, had attacked girls at his school—a claim that was proven untrue in court. Justice Nicklin, who presided over the libel trial, ordered Robinson to pay £100,000 in damages and legal costs, and imposed the injunction Robinson later violated.

Despite the court order, Robinson continued to repeat the allegations, including during a 2024 rally at Trafalgar Square. His repeated defiance led to the contempt of court proceedings and his subsequent imprisonment.

Appeal and Court Ruling

Robinson’s appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal in London, where his legal team argued for a reduction in his sentence, citing his deteriorating mental health and the impact of his segregation at HMP Woodhill. His lawyers claimed that the conditions—implemented for his safety due to threats from other inmates—were causing him significant psychological harm, including symptoms of complex PTSD and an inability to regulate his emotions.

The Court of Appeal, however, upheld the original sentence, with Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr and her colleagues ruling that the sentencing judge’s application of the law was “meticulous” and the punishment appropriate. The court also noted that Robinson could potentially have his sentence reduced by four months if he “purged” his contempt by removing the offending material from his social media accounts—a step Robinson only partially took by unpinning a film containing the libelous claims shortly before the hearing.

Prison Conditions and Health Claims

Robinson remains in segregation at HMP Woodhill, with access to a laptop, emails, several hours of daily exercise, and four hours of social phone calls each day. The Ministry of Justice argued that his conditions were “substantively more permissive” than standard regimes, and noted that he had received over 80 visits from a list of 120 authorized visitors. Despite these measures, Robinson’s legal team insisted that isolation was harming his mental health.

Broader Impact and Public Debate

The case has reignited discussions in Britain about the limits of free speech, especially when it comes into conflict with court orders and the protection of individuals from defamation and harassment. Supporters of Robinson argue that his imprisonment is a blow to free expression, while critics and legal experts emphasize the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting judicial decisions designed to protect vulnerable individuals from ongoing harm.

The Court of Appeal’s decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to enforcing its orders and maintaining the integrity of the legal process, even in the face of high-profile and controversial figures.

Robinson is scheduled for release on July 26, 2025, unless he successfully purges his contempt and receives a sentence reduction. The case continues to be a flashpoint in the UK’s ongoing debates over freedom of speech, legal accountability, and the responsibilities of public figures in the digital age.