Wife of Tory Councillor Released After Inciting Racial Hatred Sentence

Lucy Connolly, wife of Conservative councillor Raymond Connolly, has been released from prison after serving less than half of her 31-month sentence for inciting racial hatred. She was convicted in October for posting a racist and inflammatory message on X, calling for violence against hotels housing asylum seekers, hours after the murder of three girls in Southport in July 2024. Connolly's tweet was widely viewed before she deleted it, and her arrest followed nationwide unrest linked to the Southport attack. Despite losing an appeal in May, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal, her sentence and imprisonment sparked controversy, with some supporters labeling her a political prisoner and criticizing the sentence as disproportionately harsh. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the justice system and the court rulings, emphasizing the importance of independent courts and the limits of free speech. The case remains a focal point in debates about hate speech, social media, and the response to racially charged incidents in the UK.