Judge Rejects Tommy Robinson’s Bid to End Prison Segregation

Tommy Robinson loses High Court battle as judge rules his prison segregation is lawful, citing credible death threats from inmates, including a ‘Lifer’s’ Plot.

By Ben Freeman

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has failed in his High Court bid to challenge his segregation in prison. His application for a judicial review has been dismissed by Mr Justice Chamberlain, who ruled that the decision to keep him in a closed unit at HMP Woodhill was both lawful and necessary, citing credible threats to his life from other inmates, including a reported plot by a lifer to kill him.

Robinson is current serving an 18-month sentence for a Criminal Contempt of Court, imposed in October 2024 after he admitted ten breaches of a High Court injunction, which barred him from repeating false allegations about a Syrian refugee who had previously won a defamation case against him.

Following his sentencing, he was first detained at HMP Belmarsh, where he immediately told staff that he had a ‘conflict’ with followers of Islam. This, combined with substantial intelligence reports indicating serious threats to his safety, led to his transfer to HMP Woodhill in November 2024.

Written submissions presented to the court detailed the non-speculative nature of these threats. Intelligence reports indicated that two prisoners were plotting to assault Robinson to gain kudos and notoriety, and that a lifer within the prison population had placed a ‘mark on his head’ and would kill him if he were moved to a standard prison wing. In light of this, the prison authorities placed Robinson in a closed unit, separate from the general population, as a protective measure rather than a punitive one.

Robinson’s legal team, led by Alisdair Williamson KC, argued that his ongoing segregation was in violation of his human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and had resulted in an evident decline in his mental health. He told the court that Robinson’s detention conditions were having a severe psychological impact, stating:

"The solitary confinement is destroying my mind."

Robinson himself added:

"I am terrified of the long-term consequences of the continued solitary confinement. I feel I am being provoked to react. I want to leave prison mentally well, not mentally broken."

Williamson contended that while the original decision to segregate Robinson for his own safety may have been justified, it had now become an ongoing, indefinite form of isolation that was causing him harm. He suggested that Robinson should be transferred to a different prison, where he could safely associate with other inmates. The barrister further stated that Robinson, who he loosely described as a journalist, suffers from ADHD and complex PTSD, the latter of which was exacerbated by previous experiences of solitary confinement.

However, the Ministry of Justice strongly opposed Robinson’s legal challenge, maintaining that his segregation was both necessary and proportionate. Tom Cross, representing the MoJ, argued that there was no credible legal basis for the judicial review, stating bluntly:

"It is not an arguable claim."

Cross further detailed the privileges Robinson enjoys in prison, countering claims that his conditions were excessively restrictive. Woodhill prison governor Nicola Marfleet confirmed that Robinson is not kept in solitary confinement, stating:

"It is not accurate to refer to Mr Yaxley-Lennon's regime as 'solitary confinement' at all."

She outlined that Robinson spends three hours out of his cell daily, during which time he can exercise, use the gym, or play recreational games such as pool. Additionally, he is permitted a further two hours and 45 minutes, three times a week, to engage in painting and decorating work.

Furthermore, Robinson receives more visitation time than any other prisoner at HMP Woodhill, with two-hour visits, four times a week, conducted in a more informal and comfortable setting where he can bring in food purchased from the prison canteen. Marfleet also detailed that he has a television, laptop, CD player, and DVD player in his cell and has access to four hours of phone calls per day, during which he has made over 1,250 social calls.

The court also heard that Robinson has had 93 visits since his incarceration and has 120 people on his visitors list. He attends weekly Bible study sessions, receives daily visits from the prison chaplaincy team, and is seen daily by NHS medical staff, including doctors and nurses. His mental health is being continuously monitored by professionals from the prison psychology service and NHS.

In his written judgment, Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled that Robinson’s claims were “not arguable”, firmly rejecting his application for judicial review. He stated:

"There is nothing to suggest that the decision to segregate him was taken for the purpose of breaking his resistance or humiliating or debasing him. On the contrary, all the evidence shows that it was taken for his own protection and in the interests of preserving the safety of other prisoners and staff."

The judge dismissed the argument that Robinson’s segregation was driven by political motivations, instead highlighting the genuine security risks posed by his presence in the general population. He further noted that Robinson’s own words on arrival at Belmarsh—acknowledging his conflict with followers of Islam—reinforced the necessity of his separation from other inmates.

Justice Chamberlain also referred to the specific intelligence provided to the court, reiterating that the threats against Robinson were substantial and credible. He concluded that steps had been taken to mitigate the impact of segregation, and that there was no breach of human rights law in the prison’s handling of his conditions.

It is also very important to note that some commentators have erroneously referred to Robinson's case as a civil matter. However, his imprisonment stems from Criminal Contempt of Court, a serious offence that undermines the integrity of the judicial system. Mischaracterizing the nature of his conviction can lead to misunderstandings about the legal proceedings and the severity of the offense.

Additionally, certain reports have inaccurately portrayed aspects of Robinson's legal situation. Such misrepresentations can skew public perception and detract from the factual understanding of the case.

As the judgment stands, Robinson will remain in segregation at HMP Woodhill, with no further legal avenues available for challenging his detention conditions. He is due for release on 26 July 2025.

The case has highlighted the tension between prisoner safety and the need for humane conditions, but the court has ruled that in Robinson’s situation, security concerns outweigh all other considerations. Mr Justice Chamberlain’s ruling makes it clear that the decision to segregate Robinson was not a punitive measure, but rather a necessary step to protect him from credible threats within the prison system.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Bénédict Tarot Freeman

Editor-at-Large

VPN CITY-DESK

citydesk@vpnldn.co.uk