‘He’s Like a Gangster’: How Tommy Robinson Became Leader of Britain’s Far Right

THE GUARDIAN: The activist’s latest imprisonment and run-in with the law may serve only to boost his popularity and brand of hatred

far-right activist Tommy Robinson was characteristically defiant. “Death, prison or glory, we will never submit to your lies,” he declared. “They want to send me to jail [but] the world will know I told the truth.”

On Monday, Robinson was duly sentenced to 18 months in prison for contempt of court. He had shown no remorse and there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation, said Mr Justice Johnson at Woolwich crown court. “All of his actions so far suggest that he regards himself as above the law.”

In the dock, Robinson pumped his chest and saluted his loyal supporters in the public gallery. They blew kisses back. He was taken to Belmarsh high-security prison in south-east London.

The jailing of Robinson is the latest episode in his apparently inexorable rise from the owner of a tanning salon in Luton, Bedfordshire, to the brash pin-up hero of the far right in the UK, the US and beyond. He is, arguably, the most potent individual to have emerged on the British far right since Enoch Powell. » | Harriet Sherwood and Ben Quinn | Friday, November 1, 2024

Tommy Robinson Charged under Terrorism Act before Far-right March in London

THE GUARDIAN: Met says it expects ‘busy day’ on Saturday as Stand Up to Racism and Chris Kaba rallies also planned

The far-right leader Tommy Robinson has been charged under the Terrorism Act and is being held in custody before a planned march of his supporters amid fears of a repeat of violence that erupted when he was imprisoned in 2018.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, handed himself in to Folkestone police station on Friday afternoon where he was charged with failing to provide the pin to his mobile phone under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act. He was bailed to appear in court next month, Kent police said. He was then remanded in custody under a high court direction, the force said.

In July Robinson allegedly refused to give police access to his mobile phone when he was stopped under the Terrorism Act at the Channel tunnel. He had been bailed subject to returning to Folkestone police station.

He is also due to appear at Woolwich crown court on Monday on separate charges of contempt of court for repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee. Robinson’s supporters, who now control his X account, told his 1 million followers on the platform that he was being held on remand until Monday’s court appearance. » | Matthew Weaver | Friday, October 25, 2024

THE TELEGRAPH:

Tommy Robinson charged with terror offence after refusing police access to phone: Move follows far-Right activist’s arrest at port in July »

BBC:

Tommy Robinson remanded in custody ahead of court date: Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been taken into custody ahead of a major demonstration by his supporters in London this weekend. »

Emeutes au Royaume-Uni : qui est l’activiste d’extrême droite Tommy Robinson ?

Aug 7, 2024 | D’après les médias britanniques, le fondateur de l’English Defence League est « probablement l’instigateur le plus influent » des émeutes racistes qui secouent le Royaume Uni.

Méfiez-vous ! Cette vidéo contient du langage grossier. / Beware! This video contains strong language. – Mark

Are the Authorities Powerless to Stop Tommy Robinson’s Online Output?

THE GUARDIAN: New laws may make it easier to pursue far-right activist over alleged role in spreading disinformation

Images of Tommy Robinson using his phone while sunbathing in Cyprus as a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers was set alight have prompted outrage among those long concerned about his ability to inspire far-right action, even from a distance.

Yet while he has long seemed able to operate with impunity, events may finally be catching up with the man who first rose to prominence in 2009 as the de facto leader of the now defunct English Defence League (EDL).

Far from being powerless to pursue Robinson, new legislation means the authorities may be able to move more easily against those who share damaging information online that they know to be untrue.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is already known to be among those who are being looked at by police for their alleged role in disseminating disinformation. » | Ben Quinn | Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Where are the brave inciters of Britain’s race riots? From Tommy to Elon, they’re far, far away: Thugs may be rampaging in the streets, but their leaders-from-behind are more likely to be found sipping cocktails by the pool »

Tommy Robinson Flees UK on Eurostar amid Contempt of Court Proceedings

THE GUARDIAN: Far-right activist was detained under counter-terrorism powers on Sunday and was due to appear at high court

Tommy Robinson fled Britain on Sunday night to “put himself beyond the reach of authorities” in the UK, where he was due to be in court over alleged contempt proceedings, the hearing was told.

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested on Sunday at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone by police who used counter-terrorism powers, but he was released on unconditional bail.

Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant at the high court for the arrest of Robinson but ordered that it not be carried out until early October to allow the activist time to indicate that he would attend the next hearing voluntarily, or to apply to “set aside” the warrant.

Robinson was due to appear at the court on Monday accused of contempt of court for making a documentary, Silenced, which repeats false claims he made about a Syrian refugee that led to him losing a libel case in 2021. » | Ben Quinn | Monday, July 29, 2024

Related material here.

Tommy Robinson: Salvini Shows Far-right Agenda Attainable

THE GUARDIAN: Anti-Islam activist lauds Italian minister while campaigning in Lancashire to become MEP

Tommy Robinson has said Matteo Salvini, the anti-Islam Italian minister accused of targeting refugees, had shown what was attainable from pursuing far-right policies.

Speaking in a pub car park on the latest stage of his European election campaign, Robinson told supporters in the former mill town of Heywood in Lancashire that Italy’s interior minister had shown it was possible to make the transition from being classed as an “extremist” into “one of the most powerful men in Europe”.

About 300 supporters, many holding aloft pints, comprised one of the biggest crowds of Robinson’s campaign to become an MEP. » | Mark Townsend | Saturday, May 18, 2019

Grappling with the Far-right on the UK's Airwaves | The Listening Post

Meet the Tommy Robinson Supporters – BBC Newsnight

Tommy Robinson was jailed in May after he admitted contempt of court by filming outside Leeds Crown Court in the UK during a trial.

Here Gabriel Gatehouse meets the people who are fighting to free Tommy Robinson. You also hear from the leader of UKIP Gerard Batten who has taken up Robinson's cause.

Warning: This piece contains strong language and language that some may find very offensive.

Tommy Robinson Is in Prison and This Is Why

Maajid Nawaz's Unique View On Tommy Robinson's Arrest

Douglas Murray on Tommy Robinson (and the Establishment)

Douglas Murray's speciality is in intelligently pointing out the blindingly obvious to all the bone headed careerists within politics, academia and the media. If nothing else the inability of the established classes to deal with this issue has revealed how incapable and unremarkable they are.

Tommy Robinson Talks to RT about Free Speech

Tommy Robinson's message is simple – he has no intention of stopping. He has the "God given right" to freedom of speech, and he intends to use it.

Douglas Murray on Tommy Robinson (and the Establishment)

Douglas Murray's speciality is in intelligently pointing out the blindingly obvious to all the bone headed careerists within politics, academia and the media. If nothing else the inability of the established classes to deal with this issue has revealed how incapable and unremarkable they are.

Piers Morgan is an Enemy of Reason and an Affront to Human Dignity

Tommy Robinson VS Piers Morgan Full Interview | Heated Debate

The Islamization of the United Kingdom (2016)

Tommy Robinson Humiliates Muslim Man On LBC Radio

Tommy Robinson: The 'Religion of Peace' (July 2016)

Tommy Robinson - the most "hated" or bravest man in Britain, discusses the beheading of a French priest in Normandy, as well as the "religion of peace" and how Europe is being culturally enriched by millions of Muslim migrants.

UK: EDL Founder Tommy Robinson Claims State Wants Him Dead after Walking Free from Court

Tommy Robinson and Dave Rubin: Islam, Immigration, and PEGIDA (Full Interview)

Tommy Robinson (author and activist) joins Dave Rubin to discuss his controversial views on Islam, immigration in the UK, PEGIDA, his experience in prison, the attacks in Cologne, and more.