Tommy Robinson released from prison four months early after 'purging' contempt

The ex-English Defence League leader, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, looked unrecognisable with a full beard as he left the clink alongside an entourage of supporters.

When asked how he was feeling, Robinson declared: "Unfortunately the country doesn't believe in free speech."

Robinson was originally due for release on July 26 but showed a "change in attitude" during his 18-month stint behind bars.

The 42-year-old was jailed for contempt of court after multiple breaches of an injunction in 2021, with the sentence split between a 14-month "punitive" element and four-month "coercive" element.

Robinson had previously been banned from repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee who successfully sued for libel.

However, a judge found that Robinson displayed a "change in attitude" since entering HMP Woodhill, including "purging" is contempt to not break the injunction again.

Mr Justice Johnson said: "He (Robinson) has given an assurance that he will comply with the injunction in the future, that he has no intention of breaching it again, and that he is aware of the consequences of what would happen if he breached the injunction again."

Lawyers for the Solicitor General also agreed that Robinson had taken steps to adhere to the injunction.

Robinson had previously failed to appeal against the length of his sentence after claiming he was being "segregated" from other inmates at HMP Woodhill.

However, a lawyer for the Ministry of Justice had warned that at least two inmates were plotting to attack Robinson.

The ex-EDL leader had been given a "mark on his head" amid fears other prisoners were looking to get "kudos" by attacking him.

The High Court was told the former EDL leader was first locked up in Belmarsh but "on his first day he stated he had a conflict with followers of Islam".

Robinson was moved to Woodhill on November 1 before being transferred to the closed wing shortly after.

Shortly after securing his early release, Robinson was charged with harassment causing fear of violence against two men in August last year.

"We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, 42, with harassment causing fear of violence against two men," a CPS spokesman said.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial."