Tommy Robinson Thanks Elon Musk as He Walks Free From Prison

The British far-right activist Tommy Robinson—an alias for his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—thanked Elon Musk as he walked free from prison on parole after a judge granted him early release.

Robinson, 42, was partway through an 18-month jail sentence for violating a court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a teenage Syrian refugee, whom he had falsely accused of being a violent bully in school.

He made a documentary film titled “Silenced” about the boy and the legal consequences Robinson faced for repeating his claims, which he shared on X, formerly Twitter, owned by the billionaire Musk.

Why It Matters

Robinson has generated a significant audience for his activism through social media platforms, particularly in recent years through Musk’s X, earning him a large following across the world, including among the American right.

Musk has expressed support for Robinson, calling for him to be freed and saying he was imprisoned “for telling the truth”. To his supporters, Robinson is a truth-telling free speech martyr. But Robinson’s opponents say he is a convicted fraudster who peddles lies and distortions.

What To Know

Shortly after emerging from the prison building, Robinson began speaking to supporters in a live broadcast streamed to his X page. “I feel good,” said Robinson, whose hair and beard had grown long.

He said Britain does not have free speech and that a jury has never convicted him in all the cases he has faced, with judges passing down verdicts instead.

“I have to say a thank you to Elon Musk, because without X, if we didn’t have X, everyone would just think I lied. No one would have got any other narrative,” Robinson said.

“These attempts at censorship, to silence, to cancel people, it hasn’t worked. You’ve attempted to lock up the truth. And that truth has been echoed around the entire globe.”

Robinson’s lawyers had earlier told the U.K. High Court that he has shown a “commitment” to comply with the order, and as a result, Justice Jeremy Johnson granted the application to have his sentence reduced.

Yaxley-Lennon had shown a “change in attitude” since he was sentenced, Johnson said, while noting the “absence of contrition or remorse.”

“He has given an assurance that he will comply with the injunction in the future, that he has no intention of breaching it again, and that he is aware of the consequences of what would happen if he breached the injunction again,” the judge said.

Contempt of Court After Libel Loss

Robinson admitted in court last October that he was in contempt of court for violating a 2021 injunction by giving interviews in a podcast and shown on YouTube, and sharing the “Silenced” documentary, including at a rally in London’s Trafalgar Square.

He had been ordered not to repeat false allegations that he made in 2018 that Jamal Hijazi was a violent thug who bullied and threatened other students at a school in West Yorkshire in northern England.

Videos he made about Hijazi led to abuse being directed at the boy, who dropped out of school and his family had to leave their home.

Hijazi successfully sued for libel in London’s High Court in July 2021 and was awarded £100,000 ($130,000) in damages and his court costs.

In the past, Yaxley-Lennon has been jailed for assault, mortgage fraud and contempt of court. He founded the nationalist street protest group the English Defence League (EDL) in 2009.

Even after the group faded from view around 2013, he remained one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain and can still draw large crowds to the streets.

What People Are Saying

Elon Musk posted to X on January 1: “Why is Tommy Robinson in a solitary confinement prison for telling the truth? He should be freed and those who covered up this travesty should take his place in that cell.”

The anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate says on its website: “Despite claiming that he is a victim of persecution, Lennon has no one to blame but himself. He libelled a young Syrian refugee and has spent years evading justice.”

What’s Next

Robinson said he will hold a rally in London in September, and has more documentary films planned.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.