Lawyers representing far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson appeared before London’s Court of Appeal on Friday, arguing that his 18-month prison sentence should be reduced due to his mental health issues.
Tommy Robinson, a prominent anti-Muslim activist, is challenging the sentence he received for contempt of court after breaching a court order. The 42-year-old was found guilty of repeating false allegations about a Syrian refugee, who successfully sued him for libel.
Tommy Robinson, who has been associated with fueling anti-immigration protests in the UK, is currently being held in segregation for his own safety due to intelligence suggesting that other inmates may pose a threat to his life.
Alisdair Williamson, Robinson’s lawyer, told the court that his client, diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and having a history of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), had experienced a significant decline in his mental health due to the conditions in which he was being detained. He added that Robinson’s current situation was causing further deterioration in his health, with concerns that he may harm himself upon release.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, participated in the hearing remotely from prison. He pleaded guilty in October to 10 breaches of a 2021 High Court order.
The Solicitor General’s representative, Aidan Eardley, urged the judges to reject Robinson’s appeal, asserting that the original sentence was “impeccable.”
Tommy Robinson, known for founding the now-defunct far-right English Defence League (EDL) in 2009, has built a large following through his outspoken anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant views. He has also received support from tech billionaire Elon Musk. In February, a large rally was held in London by Robinson’s supporters demanding his release, which led Musk to publicly back him on the social media platform X.
Tommy Robinson, who presents himself as a free speech advocate, has previously been jailed for contempt of court, an offence that does not carry a criminal conviction but can result in imprisonment. He also has a history of criminal convictions, including for assault.
His name has been frequently chanted at recent anti-immigrant demonstrations, particularly in response to riots in England and Northern Ireland during late July and early August 2024. These riots, sparked by false rumours about the identity of a suspect in the fatal stabbings of three young girls, drew widespread condemnation of Robinson’s inflammatory social media posts during that time.
The court will issue a ruling on the appeal at a later date.
