Lucy Connolly, a 42-year-old woman, was released from prison after serving approximately 31 months for inciting racial hatred through a racist tweet posted on X, which was viewed over 310,000 times before deletion.

Her tweet, made on the same day as the murders in Southport, called for mass deportation and burning hotels hosting asylum seekers, and was based on misinformation, with the actual perpetrator being a UK-born teenager.

Connolly was ordered to serve 40% of her sentence before being released on license from HMP Peterborough on August 21, 2025, after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred.

She served less than half her sentence, being released on license after approximately 40% of her term.

Her case has sparked widespread debate about the severity of her sentence, with critics arguing it was disproportionate and politically motivated, especially compared to sentences for violent crimes.

Supporters, including her husband, claim she was unfairly penalized for a single tweet, and her quick deletion and remorse should have influenced her sentencing.

The case has reignited discussions on free speech, hate speech laws, and the fairness of her imprisonment, with some calling her a 'political prisoner' and criticizing the severity of her punishment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of balancing free speech with preventing incitement to violence, defending the independence of the courts.

A legal challenge to her sentence was dismissed in May, with her husband describing her as having paid a high price for her mistake, and critics arguing her sentence was excessively severe.

Conservative figures like Kemi Badenoch contrasted her case with that of Ricky Jones, a Labour councillor acquitted of encouraging violence, suggesting inconsistencies in legal treatment.

Opponents, including Lord Young of the Free Speech Union, criticized her imprisonment as a national scandal and highlighted perceived injustices and inconsistencies in how similar cases are treated.

The case attracted international attention, with the US Department of State monitoring her situation and expressing concern over infringements on freedom of expression.