Woman Jailed Over Migrant Hotel Facebook Rant to Be Freed Early After Outcry and Appeal

Lucy Connolly, the wife of a former Tory councillor, is set to be released from prison early after serving less than half of her sentence for a social media post that sparked outrage during a time of national tension. Her message, posted on the day of the Southport tragedy, called for migrant accommodation to be torched and went viral before being taken down.

According to the Mirror, The 41-year-old mum, who previously worked as a childminder, was jailed for 31 months back in October. The post was viewed more than 300,000 times and led to her conviction for stirring up racial hatred, with the court making clear the sentence was meant to punish and deter.

The full 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.” She posted it amid a wave of online misinformation claiming asylum seekers were responsible for the Southport tragedy, where three children lost their lives.

Despite the severity of the original sentence handed down at Birmingham Crown Court, the Court of Appeal has now ruled that Connolly had no actual intention of inciting violence. Her early release has been confirmed, and she is expected to walk free from HMP Peterborough in August, having served only 40 per cent of her time behind bars.

The decision has been met with a mixed reaction. Her husband, Raymond Connolly, a former councillor for West Northamptonshire, has been vocal in his anger over the sentence since the beginning. He’s not alone either—political figures like Nigel Farage have also slammed the sentence as extreme. Farage publicly backed her release, calling it “absolutely excessive.”

Others in the political sphere have chimed in too. Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, pointed out the inconsistency in sentencing, saying, “People have received less time in jail – or no time – for actual physical and sexual assaults”, reported GB News.

Not everyone agrees though. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stood by the justice system, stating firmly that he would “always support” decisions made by UK courts.

Still, Connolly’s release has already been pencilled in, and according to one of her friends speaking to the Evening Standard, she’s more than ready for her return to everyday life. “She’ll be with a glass of Whispering Angel in hand,” the friend said, expecting a low-key but welcome reunion next month.

Her release comes as tensions remain high across parts of the country. Following the Southport tragedy, there was a noticeable rise in violence and protests directed at migrants, particularly at hotels where many were being housed. Reports of clashes with police and community unrest spread through cities and towns in England, underscoring just how volatile the atmosphere had become.

Connolly’s post, timing, and language clearly struck a nerve during a period already marked by grief and confusion. Her early release might settle some nerves, but it’s likely to reignite debate around freedom of speech, online responsibility and what punishment truly fits the crime in today’s Britain.