Far-Right Activist Freed After Demonstrating Compliance with Court Injunction

LONDON – Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson, was released from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, after a High Court judge reduced his 18-month sentence for contempt of court by four months. The 42-year-old far-right activist, co-founder of the English Defence League, walked free sporting a bushy beard and longer hair, a stark contrast to his usual appearance, following months in segregation.

Robinson was jailed in October 2024 for breaching a 2021 court injunction that barred him from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him for libel. The breaches, admitted by Robinson, included statements made in his 2023 documentary Silenced, which garnered millions of views, as well as in online interviews. The Solicitor General had pursued two contempt claims against him, citing 10 violations of the injunction.

The original sentence comprised a 14-month punitive element and a four-month coercive element, with Mr Justice Johnson stating that the latter could be lifted if Robinson demonstrated a commitment to comply with the injunction. At a hearing on May 20, 2025, Robinson’s legal team, led by barrister Alex Di Francesco, confirmed that several offending publications had been removed, and Robinson assured the court he would not breach the injunction again. Justice Johnson, noting a “change in attitude,” granted the application, allowing Robinson’s early release.

Upon leaving prison, Robinson addressed supporters in a livestream on X, saying, “I feel good, unfortunately in a country that doesn’t believe in free speech for citizen journalists, this place is an occupational hazard.” He thanked Elon Musk, who had publicly supported his release, claiming Robinson was imprisoned “for telling the truth.” Robinson announced plans for a rally in London in September and new documentary projects.

The release has sparked polarized reactions. Supporters, including figures like Musk, view Robinson as a free speech advocate unfairly targeted by the establishment. Critics, however, point to his history of inflammatory rhetoric and criminal convictions, arguing his actions fuel division. The case has reignited debates over freedom of expression, contempt of court, and the boundaries of public discourse in the UK.

Robinson still faces a separate trial in October 2025 for allegedly failing to provide the PIN for his mobile phone when stopped by Kent Police in July 2024. Additionally, he was charged on May 21, 2025, with harassment causing fear of violence against two journalists, with a court appearance scheduled for June.

As Robinson reintegrates into public life, his next moves are likely to keep him at the center of controversy, with both supporters and detractors closely watching.