Lucy Connolly, a British mother and former childminder, was released from HMP Peterborough prison on August 21, 2025, after serving nine months of a 31-month sentence for a single tweet deemed to have incited racial hatred. The tweet was posted in the aftermath of a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, and included incendiary language targeting migrants. Connolly's sentence is reported to be one of the longest in the UK for a single social media post. Following her release, Connolly gave her first interview, describing herself as a "political prisoner" under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government and expressing intentions to campaign for justice system reform. The case has sparked debate about free speech and policing priorities in the UK. Meanwhile, Labour Councillor Ricky Jones, who made similar statements, was acquitted and did not serve jail time. The story has drawn attention from various media outlets, with some criticism directed at the government's handling of such cases. Prominent figures like Peter Hitchens have condemned right-wing support for Connolly, and Nigel Farage has accused Starmer of siding with international courts over British citizens.