Childminder remanded over race hate charge

Lucy Connolly posted the comments on X following the fatal stabbing of three schoolgirls in Southport

A childminder who called for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set on fire has been remanded in custody after appearing in court.

Lucy Connolly, whose husband Raymond Connolly is a West Northamptonshire councillor, posted on X calling for mass deportation of asylum seekers. She wrote: "If that makes me racist, so be it."

Mrs Connolly, 41, is charged with publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred.

She did not enter a plea during the hearing at Northampton Crown Court, and will appear there again on 2 September.

The childminder, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, appeared in the dock wearing light blue jeans and a sleeveless green top for the 11-minute hearing as Mr Connolly watched on from the public gallery.

Judge Adrienne Lucking KC told her she would remain in police custody following the post which she shared on 29 July – the day of the Southport schoolgirl deaths.