UK far-right figurehead loses appeal against jail term
2 Min Read
Former English Defense League leader Tommy Robinson lost his appeal against an 18-month jail sentence for contempt of court, with judges rejecting claims that his mental health, affected by ADHD, PTSD, and segregation, justified overturning the ruling.
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Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the far-right EDL "English Defense League" group, arrives for an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on October 16, 2013. (AP)
UK far-right figure and former English Defense League leader, Tommy Robinson, lost his appeal Wednesday against an 18-month jail sentence, despite claims from his legal team that prison was harming his health.
Three Court of Appeal judges rejected the bid, stating that the medical evidence provided was insufficient to support overturning the contempt of court conviction.
ADMIN POST.
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) April 16, 2025
As Tommy Robinson enters his 170th day in solitary confinement, he's just received the news he will remain there until at least July.
Meanwhile, jihadis like Abedi, who helped murder 22 innocent people at a concert, is free to roam prison, last week committing his… https://t.co/8HENABgRdV pic.twitter.com/1U27Hz9gH1
Robinson (42) was jailed last October for breaching a court order by repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee who had previously won a libel case against him.
His lawyers argued his mental health had worsened while being held in segregation, a precaution reportedly taken due to threats to his life.
Robinson, linked to violent anti-immigration unrest, has received backing from Elon Musk.
ADMIN POST.
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) April 16, 2025
⚠️Tommy update⚠️
As expected, the corrupt judiciary has just ruled that Tommy Robinson will remain in solitary confinement for his full sentence for a civil offence.
We'll reiterate, if Tommy had committed a criminal offence, he would have been released months…
His lawyer argued that his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a past experience with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were having a "demonstrable effect" on him.
Alisdair Williamson told the court, "He is being kept safe, but being safe is making him ill." Meanwhile, lawyers representing the Solicitor General, a senior legal advisor to the government, urged the court to dismiss Robinson's appeal. They called the initial sentencing "impeccable" and insisted there were "no grounds for altering the sentence".
Who is Robinson?
Robinson, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a former football hooligan and one of the founders of the now-disbanded far-right group, the English Defence League, launched in 2009.
He built a substantial following online, largely driven by his strong anti-Muslim and anti-immigration rhetoric.
His supporters gathered in February in large numbers for a march in London calling for his release. The demonstration drew attention from Elon Musk, who shared a supportive message on his platform, X.
