A mother who was handed a jail sentence over a social media post after the Southport stabbings has not been permitted to see her daughter.
Lucy Connolly’s plea was rejected after she applied for temporary leave – despite being an “ideal candidate” for the bid, one prison expert claimed.
Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch has described the move as “unjust”.
She added that Connolly’s sentence was “disproportionately severe” and had established a “dangerous” perception of bias to “fuel radicalisation and threaten community cohesion”.
Lucy Connolly shared the post on the same day as three girls were stabbed to death in Southport
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A HM Prison Service spokesman refused to discuss individual cases but said: “To be eligible for temporary release, prisoners must be compliant with all prison rules.”
The service added that any contact with the press would need to approved by a prison governor.
As a result, the 42-year-old Northamptonshire childminder would not be released on temporary licence (ROTL) despite, in her plea, mentioning that her daughter was acting “totally out of character” while her ill husband, a Conservative councillor, was left to shoulder the burden.
The mother was handed a 31 month prison sentence in October after she pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred in an X post.
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Taking to X to share her opposition to the prison’s move, Badenoch wrote: “Having reviewed the background of Lucy Connolly’s case, her denial of ROTL appears unjust. ROTL is not a grand privilege; it’s a modest allowance for 2-3 nights at home per month.
“Lucy has been unfairly treated, and it’s time to acknowledge this. She can appeal to the Governor and, if necessary, to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Justice must prevail. Transparency in this process is crucial to clarify the confusing details surrounding her case.
“I understand there’s a separate appeal regarding her sentence and conviction. The bigger issue is the perception of bias in the application of the law. Lucy’s sentence, disproportionately severe compared to those for actual violence in the riots and other contexts, suggests she’s being treated as ‘low hanging fruit’.
“This perception is dangerous, fuelling radicalisation and threatening community cohesion.”
Connolly’s lawyer said that, although he did not have the “full details”, the decision struck him as “very unfair and needs to be challenged”.
Connolly’s husband – who is suffering from bone marrow failure – said that he was ‘disappointed’ in the outcome
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Connolly’s husband – who is suffering from bone marrow failure – said that he was “disappointed” in the outcome, adding that their “daughter is struggling” and “needs her mummy at home”.
He told the Telegraph: “This decision by prison authorities is not based on evidence in my opinion. Lucy is a good and kind person who has been a model prisoner. She has helped other inmates on the path to reform.
“Lucy has been entitled to ROTL since November but they have turned down every request. It’s not nice to think they’ve got it in for Lucy but when she sees other prisoners who have done far worse crimes – like killing a child by dangerous driving – getting out, you think they’re still making an example of her.”
He explained that his wife was “really calm” when she was informed of the prison’s decision and has requested to be transferred to Peterborough prison to be closer to her family.