British far-right figure, Tommy Robinson has failed in his attempt to overturn an 18-month prison sentence, as the UK Court of Appeal rejected his arguments on health grounds.
Robinson, known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and for helping ignite last year’s anti-immigration riots, had appealed the sentence through his legal team, claiming that the conditions of his confinement were worsening his mental health.
His lawyers argued that his time in solitary confinement was exacerbating his ADHD and a previous bout of complex PTSD.
“He is being kept safe, but being safe is making him ill,” said his lawyer, Alisdair Williamson, during last week’s hearing in London.
However, in a written decision released on Wednesday, three judges of the Court of Appeal dismissed the new medical evidence, stating that it “fell far short of the standard for a successful criminal appeal.”
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is currently serving time for contempt of court—a civil offence.
The charge stemmed from his defiance of a court order which barred him from repeating libellous claims about a Syrian refugee who later won a lawsuit against him.
Despite concerns about his safety, Robinson is being held in isolation at a prison in central England due to intelligence suggesting he could be attacked by fellow inmates.
Government lawyers representing the Solicitor General urged the court to maintain the original verdict, calling it “impeccable” and arguing that there were “no grounds for altering the sentence.”
Robinson, who founded the now-disbanded English Defence League in 2009, has built a large online audience by promoting anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views.
His rhetoric has been linked to unrest, including violent riots in England and Northern Ireland in mid-2024, where protesters were heard chanting his name.
Those riots were triggered by false social media claims involving a Muslim asylum seeker.
In February 2025, thousands of his supporters rallied in London demanding his release.
The protest drew the attention of US billionaire Elon Musk, who voiced support for Robinson on his platform, X.
While Robinson portrays himself as a champion of free speech, his history includes multiple criminal convictions, including for assault.
He has also previously served time for contempt of court—an offence that, although not criminal, carries serious legal consequences.
The appeal ruling cements Robinson’s continued incarceration, despite his team’s insistence that his health is deteriorating behind bars.
