Lucy Connolly’s 51-word online post following the Southport killings resulted in a 31-month prison sentence and ignited a debate about free speech.
Many viewed her sentence for inciting racial hatred as excessively harsh, with some characterizing her as a “political prisoner.” However, the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction.
Responding to parliamentary inquiries, Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed that sentencing is a judicial matter, emphasizing his support for free speech while condemning incitement to violence.
Independent MP Rupert Lowe described the situation as “morally repugnant,” expressing concern about the implications for British society. Conversely, some critics argued that her supporters were advocating for a “right to be racist.”
Warning: This report contains racist and discriminatory language
Following a false report linking an asylum seeker to the murder of three girls in Southport, Connolly posted a message calling for mass deportations and the destruction of asylum seeker housing, stating, “If that makes me racist, so be it.”
The post, viewed 310,000 times before deletion, led to her October conviction. This week, three appeal court judges affirmed the sentence as not excessive.
Stephen O’Grady of the Free Speech Union (FSU), while acknowledging the severity of the sentence, highlighted Connolly’s personal circumstances and questioned whether the punishment fit the crime, citing concerns about overreach in policing online activity.
The FSU has seen an increase in queries regarding online speech limits, fearing potential police overreach. This concern was further emphasized by a case they handled involving a retired special constable detained for online comments.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council responded by citing the Human Rights Act and ongoing officer training regarding freedom of speech. Connolly’s husband maintains her innocence, while her MP expresses sympathy but rejects claims of police overreach.
Judge Melbourne Inman’s sentencing remarks categorized the offense as “high culpability,” noting agreement between prosecution and defense on Connolly’s intent to incite violence. The appeal court upheld this assessment.
While the defense argued against the severity of the sentence, citing the pre-violence nature of the tweet and subsequent attempts to de-escalate, the judgement cited other online posts revealing Connolly’s views on immigration.
The FSU anticipates Connolly’s release in August. Discussions continue regarding the proportionality of her sentence compared to others convicted of potentially more serious crimes. The debate highlights the complexities of balancing free speech with accountability for online hate speech.
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