British anti-Muslim activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, has challenged the decision to keep him in segregation in prison, arguing that it is a result of his political beliefs. He has been in segregation for over 140 days at Woodhill Prison in central England since his return to custody last October, after admitting to contempt of court due to breaching an injunction in a libel case.
Prison authorities have cited concerns for his safety, stating that they received intelligence indicating two inmates planned to assault him, and they warned that he might face life-threatening risks if transferred to the general population.
Yaxley-Lennon contends that his treatment is politically motivated due to his activism. His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson, expressed concerns about Yaxley-Lennon's deteriorating mental health and the fear of a relapse into substance abuse upon his anticipated release in July.
The government has countered that Yaxley-Lennon’s regime includes privileges not afforded to other inmates, such as more visitations and extended time outside his cell, including up to four hours of phone calls daily. Government lawyer Tom Cross stated, "I don't accept there has been direct discrimination."
Elon Musk has frequently engaged with Yaxley-Lennon on the social media platform X and has advocated for his release. It has been reported that Musk may be covering some of Yaxley-Lennon's legal fees, although Musk has not confirmed this.
Critics describe Yaxley-Lennon as a far-right provocateur, accusing him of spreading misinformation to incite tensions surrounding sensitive incidents, including the murder of three young girls last July. Yaxley-Lennon maintains that he is a journalist exposing wrongdoing and that the media misrepresents him.
The judge is expected to announce his decision on Friday.