Lucy Connolly, a 41-year-old childminder and wife of a Conservative councillor, has been sentenced to 31 months in prison for stirring up racial hatred with social media posts inciting mass deportation and arson attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers. Her inflammatory remarks came on the day three children were tragically stabbed to death in an attack in Southport.
Social Media Posts Incite Violence Amid Tragedy
In an expletive-ridden message to her over 10,000 followers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Connolly called for “mass deportation now” of asylum seekers and said “set fire to all the fucking hotels full of the bastards for all I care,” adding “if that makes me racist so be it.” The post, which was live for at least three and a half hours before being deleted, was viewed over 310,000 times and widely reshared.
The timing of her hateful remarks came as the nation reeled in shock over the deaths of three young children in a horrific stabbing attack in Southport. Tensions were running high and the situation was volatile, leading to unrest and disorder in several areas. Judge Melbourne Inman KC noted that Connolly was “well aware” of the charged atmosphere when she chose to publish her incendiary post.
Lack of Remorse and Insight
Despite pleading guilty to intending to stir up racial hatred, Connolly displayed little remorse or understanding of the gravity and impact of her actions. In private messages prior to her arrest, she cavalierly referred to the post that “bit me on the arse” and declared her intent to “play the mental health card” if questioned. She also vowed to continue working “on the sly” as a childminder even after being deregistered.
Whatever her intention was in posting the offending tweet, it was short-lived, and she didn’t expect the violence that followed, and she quickly tried to quell it.
– Tom Muir, defense attorney
Her attorney argued that her intention was “short-lived” and she tried to “quell” the violence that followed, but the judge found that she demonstrated little insight or acceptance of responsibility. He sentenced her to serve 40% of the 31 month sentence before eligibility for release on license.
Husband’s Political Position Adds to Controversy
Adding to the public interest in the case is the fact that Connolly is married to Raymond Connolly, a Conservative councillor for West Northamptonshire council. He was present in the courtroom gallery as his wife was sentenced but has stated he will not resign over the matter, calling it “quite traumatic for Lucy and the children.” The councillor’s continued service and response is likely to draw further scrutiny.
Context of Post-Southport Unrest and Riots
Connolly’s sentencing came on the same day that Simon Orr, 39, was jailed for over 6 years for his role in riots and attacks on asylum hotels in the wake of the Southport tragedy. Orr pleaded guilty to charges of rioting and assaulting a female officer and was only the third defendant in England to admit to a riot offense related to the unrest. He also sent messages encouraging others to participate in an attack on a hotel in Tamworth.
Over 150 arrests have now been made by Staffordshire Police in connection with the post-Southport disorders in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth, with authorities vowing that “more will be coming” as they work to hold rioters and those inciting unrest accountable.
Ongoing Debates and Divisions Over Asylum Policy
The disturbing posts and riots highlight the charged and polarized atmosphere around debates over asylum seeker policies and immigration in the UK. With an influx of migrants arriving by boat and being housed in hotels as their claims are processed, far-right agitators have focused in on the issue, at times resorting to incendiary and dehumanizing rhetoric.
Critics argue current policies and rhetoric from some quarters are whipping up hatred and scapegoating vulnerable asylum seekers and migrants. Supporters of a firmer line claim the current system is overwhelmed, abused, and unsustainable. With temperatures running hot on all sides, and lives tragically lost in Southport, the path forward remains contentious and uncertain.
For now, the courts are working to hold individuals who cross the line into criminality to account, as in the case of Lucy Connolly and others arrested in the disorders. But the broader public debates and divisions at the root of the unrest are unlikely to be resolved in the prison or the courtroom alone.
