Tommy Robinson, the well-known far-right activist also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been unsuccessful in his bid to overturn his 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court. The decision came after Robinson violated a court order by spreading falsehoods about a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him for defamation. Despite his appeal, the Court of Appeal, consisting of Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis, and Lord Justice Warby, upheld the original sentence.
The judges stated that the application of the law and the reasoning behind the penalty in Robinson’s case were both meticulously considered. Following the ruling, a spokesperson from the attorney general’s office expressed the seriousness with which the court views contempt of court, emphasizing that Robinson’s sentence reflects this gravity. This recent outcome adds to Robinson’s string of legal losses, having previously failed in a similar challenge regarding his segregation in prison in March.
Robinson’s incarceration stemmed from his violation of a court order issued after he lost a costly libel case in 2021. The former leader of the now-defunct English Defence League falsely accused a Syrian teenager of being a violent criminal in an online video. Despite admitting to multiple breaches of the court order, Robinson continued to perpetuate these falsehoods, leading to his imprisonment last October. Despite concerns for his safety, Robinson is currently held in isolation at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, with limited access to certain amenities.
Baroness Carr highlighted that the court thoroughly reviewed Robinson’s complaints about his treatment in prison but ultimately found no valid reasons to reduce his sentence. Robinson is set to be released on license in July, marking the halfway point of his 18-month term. The legal battles and subsequent imprisonment serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of spreading false information and disregarding court orders
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