Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has launched an appeal for an early release from prison, citing serious mental health issues exacerbated by his current conditions. His appeal will be reviewed at a later date, following a disappointing outcome last month where he unsuccessfully challenged his segregation within HMP Woodhill, located in Milton Keynes.

Robinson, a controversial figure known for his far-right anti-Islam activism, was sentenced to 18 months in prison last October for contempt of court. This sentence stemmed from his blatant disregard for a court order that prohibited him from disseminating false statements about a Syrian refugee. His continued propagation of these falsehoods, particularly during public ralliesincluding an incident at Trafalgar Squarehas led to multiple breaches of the court's directive.

In an unusual legal maneuver, Robinson's legal team has argued that his separation from the general prison population is detrimental to his mental health, a factor the sentencing judge may not have fully considered. According to his barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, the impact of segregation could be more harmful than anticipated, contributing to Robinson's complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Robinson's legal advocates have presented a case for him to be released ahead of the scheduled date of July 26. During the appeal, Williamson emphasized the paradox of Robinson's situation: although he is being kept safe in segregation, the very measures taken for his protection are leading to a deterioration in his mental well-being. Williamson noted that while Robinson is not in immediate mental crisis, there are significant concerns over his mental state, particularly given the harmful behaviors he has exhibited following previous releases.

Currently, Robinson is housed on a closed wing of the Woodhill prison, where he is isolated from other inmates for his own safety. Despite the isolation, he has access to various amenities, including a laptop, television, DVDs, a CD player, and a gym. He is permitted to spend at least three hours outside of his cell each day and has made over 1,250 phone calls since November, indicating a level of social interaction that might be considered atypical for a segregated prisoner.

However, the Solicitor General's representative, Aidan Eardley KC, disputed the claims of worsening conditions, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to suggest Robinson's treatment in prison is any more severe than expected. Eardley pointed out that Robinson's continued breaches of the court order call into question his request for leniency. He remarked, He remains defiantly in breach of the order and at the same time comes to this court and asks for an indulgence. Eardley also mentioned that Robinson had complained about not being able to watch his preferred news channel, GB News, on his prison television.

During the court proceedings, Robinson appeared via video link and displayed signs of agitation, occasionally rocking back and forth. At one point, he held up a document alleging that the prison's governor had misrepresented his conditionsthough this claim was not formally addressed by his lawyers in court. The presiding judges, including Baroness Sue Carr, chose to disregard the written claim presented by Robinson.

The court will ultimately make a decision regarding Robinson's appeal at a future date, amid ongoing discussions about the implications of his case for both legal precedent and public discourse surrounding freedom of speech in the context of contentious political activism.