A politician's spouse was imprisoned for urging others to set fire to hotels housing migrants.

Lucy Connolly, a 41-year-old childminder and wife of a Conservative councillor, has been sentenced to 31 months in jail for inciting racial hatred. This comes after she pleaded guilty to the charges on September 2, following her arrest in August for publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred. Her actions were in response to the Southport attacks, which took place on the same day.

During her trial at Birmingham Crown Court, it was revealed that Connolly had posted on social media, calling for mass deportation and setting fire to hotels housing immigrants. One of her posts read, "Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bastards for all I care... If that makes me racist, so be it." She also made comments on a sword attack, stating, "I bet my house it was one of these boat invaders." Additionally, she sent a message on WhatsApp, bragging about "playing the mental health card" if she was arrested.

The court heard that Connolly, who has no previous convictions, had also sent a message saying she would continue to work as a childminder during her notice period, despite being de-registered. She appeared before the court via video-link from HMP Peterborough, while her husband watched from the public gallery.

In his sentencing, the Recorder of Birmingham Judge Melbourne Inman KC addressed the impact of Connolly's actions, stating, "Some people used that tragedy as an opportunity to sow division and hatred, often using social media, leading to a number of towns and cities being disfigured." He also noted that her post on X inciting attacks on hotels had been viewed 310,000 times, adding, "When you published those words you were well aware how volatile the situation was. That volatility led to serious disorder where mindless violence was used."

The judge emphasized that Connolly's actions had endangered the lives of others and contributed to the "mindless violence" that occurred. Her husband, Raymond Connolly, declined to comment on the sentencing as he left the court.

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