Tommy Robinson Released Early After Sentence Reduction
Tommy Robinson Released Early from Prison After Sentence Reduction
Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, has been released early from his 18-month prison sentence after the High Court reduced his term by four months. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had been jailed in October 2024 for contempt of court following breaches of a High Court injunction.
The injunction, issued in 2021, barred him from repeating defamatory claims against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi, who successfully sued Robinson for libel. Despite this, Robinson released a documentary in 2023 titled Silenced, which included prohibited content. The court deemed this a significant breach, resulting in his incarceration.
Originally scheduled for release in July 2025, Robinson walked free on May 27, 2025, from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. The early release followed a judicial reassessment that acknowledged his recent promise to adhere to the court’s injunction in the future. Though the judge noted Robinson’s lack of remorse, he accepted that there had been a change in attitude.
Upon his release, Robinson thanked Elon Musk, crediting the X platform (formerly Twitter) for allowing him to share his perspective during what he described as a time of censorship. He also announced plans to host a “free speech festival” in London later this year.
Despite his release, Robinson’s legal battles are far from over. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 5 to face harassment charges involving two journalists. Additionally, he is set to stand trial in October 2026 over allegations of refusing to disclose his mobile phone PIN during a police stop in 2024.
Robinson’s early release has reignited debate around freedom of speech, defamation laws, and the responsibilities of public figures in digital media. His next steps, both legal and political, will likely continue to attract public attention.
Discover more from Hackney's Finest - Trending Topics and News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
