Meghan Markle's outspoken sister has demanded the release of Tommy Robinson and called him a political prisoner - sparking derision online.

Samantha Markle, who lives in America, accused the UK of being in the 'dark ages' and shared a petition demanding the EDL founder is freed as well as a video of right-wing European leader Geert Wilders protesting outside the British embassy in Holland.

Robinson, 35, was jailed for 13 months last Friday for contempt of court after broadcasting onFacebook Live outside Leeds Crown Court, putting a major trial at risk of collapse.

Right-wing activists in America have rushed to support Robinson, after restrictions ordered by a judge initially prevented his court case and jail term being reported. A host of conspiracy theories in the US then began claiming that he was imprisoned as part of a plot to silence the right.

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Meghan Markle's outspoken sister has demanded the release of Tommy Robinson and called him a political prisoner - sparking derision online

Samantha Markle accused the UK of being in the 'dark ages' and shared a petition demanding the EDL founder is freed as well as a video of right-wing European leader Geert Wilders protesting outside the British embassy in Holland

The EDL founder was held by police and taken up to a courtroom where he pleaded guilty to contempt of court.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a suspended sentence from a previous court case.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC blasted Robinson for his 'highly prejudicial actions'.

Referring to separate court proceedings that Robinson was in danger of derailing Judge Marson QC said: 'No one could possibly conclude that it would be anything other than highly prejudicial to the defendants in the trial.'

'I respect everyone's right to free speech. That's one of the most important rights that we have.'With those rights come responsibilities. The responsibility to exercise that freedom of speech within the law. I am not sure you appreciate the potential consequence of what you have done.

Despite the reasons for his conviction and sentencing being clearly outlined Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, has found an unlikely supporter in Samantha Markle, the half-sister of newlywed Meghan Markle - who described him as a political prisoner.

Yesterday Samantha waded in on the argument by sharing a petition on Twitter calling for Robinson's release, which has collected more than 500,000 signatures.

Social media users were quick to criticise Samantha's comments with some saying she was ignorant of contempt laws and of freedom of speech.

On Friday Robinson, 35, was jailed for 13 months for contempt of court after broadcasting on Facebook Live outside Leeds Crown Court, putting a major trial at risk of collapse

One said: 'Maybe you should pay attention to the mess in your country before you trying to change another country you have no deep understanding of or even live in.'

Another critic tweeted: Not true. Some forms of expression - e.g. child pornography - are never covered by 1A. The Tommy Robinson case is not one of free speech. It is to do with his (again) violating a gag order imposed to preserve the integrity of a criminal trial. The US allows the same restriction.

A third social media user wrote 'Silly woman. Robinson broke his suspended sentence and was in contempt of court. Read the judge's statement'.

Social media users were quick to criticise the Samantha's comments with some blasting her as ignorant of contempt laws and of freedom of speech. One said: 'Maybe you should pay attention to the mess in your country before you trying to change another country you have no deep understanding of or even live in'

Their words echo Judge Marson QC's remarks on Friday, where, unusually, Robinson was arrested, charged and sentenced within the space of five hours.

Right-wing activists in America have rushed to support Robinson, after restrictions ordered by a judge initially prevented the reason for his arrest being reported

A host of conspiracy theories in the US then began claiming that he was imprisoned as part of a plot to silence the right

Right-wing publication Breitbart threw its full support behind right-wing nationalist Robinson

Their words echo Judge Marson QC's remarks on Friday, where, unusually, Robinson was arrested, charged and sentenced within the space of five hours - leading to supporters protesting in Whitehall last weekend demanding his release

The Judge said on Friday: 'If the jurors in my present trial get to know of this video I will no doubt be faced with an application to discharge the jury.

'If I have to do that it will mean a re-trial, costing hundreds and hundreds and thousands of pounds.'

A re-trial would also mean witnesses in the case would have to face the ordeal of giving evidence again before a jury.

Referring to the original postponement order that delayed publication of the details of Robinson's case, the Judge added: 'You have to understand we are not preventing publication. We are postponing publication to ensure that the trial is fair.

'It is a serious feature that you were encouraging others to share what you were streaming live on social media.'

Jailing the married father-of-three, the judge said: 'People have to understand that if they breach court orders there will be very real consequences.'