Kelvin MacKenzie has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the release of Lucy Connolly from prison, declaring her sentence "an absolute disgrace" that will permanently damage the PM's reputation.

Speaking on GB News, Mr MacKenzie condemned the 31-month prison term handed to Ms Connolly as "shocking" and claimed it would "hang around Keir Starmer's neck".

The 42-year-old walked free from HMP Peterborough on Thursday after completing 40 per cent of her sentence for publishing threatening material on social media during last summer's unrest.

Mr MacKenzie argued that political pressure from the Prime Minister influenced the judiciary's decision, resulting in what he considered an excessively harsh punishment for social media posts.

Kelvin MacKenzie lashed out at Keir Starmer

Ms Connolly was imprisoned after posting inflammatory messages on X (formerly Twitter) in the hours after the Southport attack that claimed three young girls' lives.

Her tweet urged followers to "set fire" to buildings housing asylum seekers whilst demanding "mass deportations now".

The post, which garnered 310,000 views and 940 reposts before deletion, was published despite the Southport attacker, Axel Rudakubana, being Cardiff-born rather than a foreign national.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how the childminder, married to a Northampton Town councillor, admitted publishing threatening or abusive material. An appeal against her sentence was unsuccessful in May.

Kelvin MacKenzie erupted on GB News

Under current early release regulations, she departed HMP Peterborough having completed the minimum required portion of her custodial term.

Mr MacKenzie suggested that Ms Connolly had mishandled her legal defence, stating she "played it completely wrong" and should have adopted alternative strategies to avoid imprisonment.

"She should have played the mental health card," he argued during his GB News appearance, noting that she ought to have "gone sick" and repeatedly changed her legal representation whilst maintaining a not guilty plea.

The broadcaster speculated that such tactics would have resulted in "a suspended sentence" at most, rather than the custodial term she received.

Lucy Connolly was jailed for a social media post | X

Court documents revealed that Ms Connolly had actually considered claiming mental health issues, with WhatsApp messages showing she intended to "play the mental health card" if arrested. However, she ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges against her.

Mr MacKenzie alleged that the sentencing judge acted out of concern for his own position, claiming he "decided 'I will establish myself and give her 31-months'" after the Prime Minister made his views on the Southport riots clear.

The political commentator drew comparisons with former Labour councillor Ricky Jones, who was acquitted after calling for protesters to have their throats slit.

A jury accepted Jones's words were "a disgusting remark made in the heat of the moment, not a call to action", according to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

Mr MacKenzie emphasised that Ms Connolly was married to a Conservative councillor, suggesting this political affiliation influenced her treatment. He maintained that "a tweet is not violence" and accused Sir Keir of using "soft powers" to ensure harsh sentences for those supporting the riots.