Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been released from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes today, emerging with a markedly different appearance and a renewed public message. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was serving an 18-month sentence for breaching a court injunction involving a Syrian refugee he previously defamed.
Robinson walked out of prison with long hair and a beard, wearing a rosary necklace and holding a red cap bearing the slogan “MEGA” — short for “Make England Great Again” — a clear reference to Donald Trump’s “MAGA” slogan. The acronym has been associated with Robinson’s supporters in recent months.
Speaking immediately after his release in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), the 42-year-old condemned his sentence, criticised the media and police, and claimed his family had received “death threats and serious threats of harm” due to coverage of his legal issues.
Robinson also thanked Elon Musk for his continued support. The billionaire and X platform owner has previously expressed concern about Robinson’s case and publicly backed calls for his release.
Originally scheduled to be released on 26 July, Robinson secured early release after the High Court accepted his assurance that he would comply with the 2021 injunction preventing him from repeating false claims against a Syrian teenager. Robinson had previously been found liable for libel and was ordered to pay damages and remove the defamatory content.
However, Robinson’s legal troubles are far from over. He is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 June over allegations of harassing two journalists. Additionally, he faces a separate trial in October for allegedly refusing to provide his mobile phone PIN code to Kent Police following an incident in Folkestone in July 2024.
While his release has sparked reaction across social media, legal proceedings in the coming months are likely to keep Robinson under continued public scrutiny.
