Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was released early from prison on Monday following a decision by the High Court to reduce his sentence by four months. The 41-year-old founder of the English Defence League had been serving an 18-month term for contempt of court after breaching a High Court injunction that barred him from repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee.

The contempt related to a documentary, Silenced, released and promoted online in May 2023, in which Robinson made unfounded allegations against Jamal Hijazi. Hijazi, a former schoolboy, had earlier won a libel case against Robinson after the far-right figure falsely accused him of bullying English school children.

While initially denied early release, Robinson was granted a sentence reduction after making a successful application to "purge his contempt". The court cited his assurance that he would no longer breach the injunction and noted a “change in attitude” as contributing factors.

In a statement issued by the judiciary, the court said:

“The applicant has made clear and unequivocal undertakings to comply with the terms of the injunction going forward. The court accepts that there has been a material change in the applicant’s position since the original sentencing.”

Shortly after leaving HMP Woodhill, Robinson posted a video to social media expressing gratitude to his supporters — and notably, to Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter).

“I have to say thank you to Elon Musk, because without Twitter, the truth would have been completely silenced,” he said.

Robinson also announced plans to host a “free speech festival” later this year, though details about the event remain sparse. He described the initiative as a platform to “stand against censorship” and “protect British liberties,” further cementing his ongoing alignment with so-called free speech activism.

The original injunction, imposed in 2021, prohibited Robinson from making further claims about Jamal Hijazi, who had been filmed being attacked in a Huddersfield schoolyard, footage that went viral and prompted widespread condemnation.

Rather than express remorse following his defeat in the defamation suit, Robinson continued to target Hijazi in subsequent media, culminating in the release of Silenced. The High Court found these actions to be in “flagrant breach” of court orders, leading to his imprisonment in October 2024.

Hijazi’s legal team previously described Robinson’s actions as “relentless and vindictive harassment”, arguing they had contributed to significant emotional harm for their client and his family.

Despite his early release, Robinson’s legal woes are far from over. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 June to face charges of harassment with fear of violence, relating to alleged incidents involving two journalists in August 2024.

Additionally, he is expected to face trial in October over accusations that he failed to provide his mobile phone PIN when stopped by police in Bedfordshire in July 2024, a possible breach of the Investigatory Powers Act.

Legal experts suggest these upcoming cases could carry significant consequences, particularly if Robinson is found to have violated conditions of his release or committed further offences.

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