News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson claimed his time behind bars amounted to "mental torture" following his release from a 13-month jail sentence.

The far-right activist suggested his imprisonment was politically motivated and slammed media coverage of his case in a recently released video.

Robinson, 35, was jailed in May after broadcasting a Facebook Live outside Leeds Crown Court that potentially jeopardised an ongoing criminal trial.

A group of about 30 anti-fascist protesters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the ruling to set him free was handed down, shouting chants including "Nazi scum, off our streets" and "refugees are welcome here".

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Robinson claimed that he was held in 'solitary confinement' during his time in HMP Olney in Northamptonshire .

(Image: YouTube/Tommy Robinson) (Image: YouTube/Tommy Robinson)

"Home sweet home. I've got so much to say...but I feel anxious", he said in the five minute clip titled 'Tommy Robinson is home'.

Robinson, 35, claimed his treatment at the hands of UK authorities amounted to 'torture'.

What they tried to do was to mentally destroy me", he says in the video. "That wasn't a prison sentence, that was mental torture."

"If I was bitter and angry I would accept my own victimhood. I'm not their victim, I'm their target", he added.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

(Image: PA)

(Image: PA)

He continued by thanking a number of his supporters at home and around the world, including UKIP politicians Gerard Batten and Lord Pearson.

Katie Hopkins tweeted her support for Tommy Robinson as news broke that he will be freed from jail.

Earlier, as he was released from prison, he told the waiting press pack: “The British public no longer believe the (mainstream media).

“I have got a lot to say, nothing to you. I want to say thank you to the British public for their support.”

(Image: Getty)

Lord Burnett, giving reasons for granting his appeal, said that once Robinson “had removed the video from Facebook there was no longer sufficient urgency to justify immediate proceedings”.

The judge at Leeds should not have commenced contempt proceedings that day.

Lord Burnett said “no particulars of the contempt were formulated or put to the appellant”, and there was “a muddle over the nature of the contempt being considered”.

He added: “Where a custodial term of considerable length is being imposed, it should not usually occur so quickly after the conduct which is complained of; a sentence of committal to immediate custody had been pronounced within five hours of the conduct taking place.”