Tory Councillor’s Wife Lucy Connolly Set for Release After Serving Sentence for Southport Riots Tweet
Overview
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a former Conservative councillor jailed for 31 months over a tweet inciting racial hatred following the Southport riots, is expected to be released from prison next month, friends have revealed.
Connolly, a 42-year-old mother and former childminder, has been serving her sentence at HMP Drake Hall in Staffordshire since October 2024. She pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to a charge of inciting racial hatred after posting a tweet calling for the mass deportation of migrants and suggesting hotels housing asylum seekers be set on fire.
Friends Confirm Release Date
A close friend posted on social media platform X:
“Missed a call whilst working today and not spoken to her for two weeks… HOWEVER, happy to say that this time next month Lucy will be with a glass of Whispering Angel in-hand – and more importantly, with her family at home.
It is believed Connolly will be released on 21 August 2025, almost a year after her arrest.
Tweet Sparked National Backlash
Connolly’s tweet, which was viewed more than 310,000 times in just three-and-a-half hours before being deleted, was sent on the same day as the Southport atrocity on 29 July 2024, when three young girls were murdered during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The former childminder’s post read:
“Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f***** hotels full of the b******* for all I care… if that makes me racist so be it.”*
Failed Appeal and Political Debate
Connolly’s appeal to have her sentence reduced was rejected by the Court of Appeal in May. She claimed she had not fully understood the charge and did not intend to incite violence.
Her husband, Ray Connolly, a former West Northamptonshire councillor, has described the sentence as “cruelly long and disproportionate” and accused the justice system of “two-tier justice”.
The case has attracted international attention, with the White House reportedly “monitoring” developments. Domestically, figures from the Free Speech Union and Reform UK have protested against her imprisonment. Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, has even proposed “Lucy’s Bill” to allow mass appeals against sentences deemed excessive.
Allegations of Mistreatment in Prison
Richard Tice previously alleged that Connolly was “mistreated” in prison, claiming she had been “manhandled without provocation” and moved to a high-security wing after challenging a housing decision.
“Five days after the incident, the bruises on her wrists were still significant – yellow,” Mr Tice said in June.
The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
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