Tommy Robinson Hit with Fresh Contempt of Court Charges
Tommy Robinson, the English Defence League founder, is back in hot water. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has filed a fresh contempt of court application against him for allegedly breaking a High Court injunction made in 2021. The new legal action cites six separate breaches between June and July this year.
Robinson’s Libel Loss and Court Order Explained
Robinson, born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, lost a high-profile libel battle in 2021 to Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi. Hijazi sued Robinson after he falsely accused the teenager of attacking girls at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield in 2018. A video had shown Hijazi being assaulted by another pupil, but Robinson’s claims were proven lies. The court slapped Robinson with a £100,000 damages bill and a strict injunction barring him from repeating those defamatory allegations.
New Allegations: Film Screenings and Interviews
The AGO revealed the latest contempt claim was served to Robinson via his X (formerly Twitter) account after submitting it on August 19. Solicitor General Sarah Sackman is leading the charge. The accusations include Robinson showing a film titled Silenced at protests in London and Trafalgar Square this July—events said to breach the 2021 court order. He’s also alleged to have repeated banned claims in three interviews between February and June 2023.
Robinson Vanishes, Arrest Warrant Issued but Delayed
Robinson reportedly fled the UK amid growing legal pressure after allegedly committing “flagrant” contempt at a London protest. Last month, Mr Justice Johnson issued an arrest warrant during a court hearing in London. However, enforcement will be paused until October to give Robinson a chance to surrender voluntarily or challenge the warrant.
Robinson’s Contempt History and Upcoming Court Date
This isn’t Robinson’s first brush with contempt charges. In 2018, he was jailed for live-streaming men accused of sexual offences outside Leeds Crown Court, violating a reporting ban. Despite an overturned conviction, he was back behind bars in 2019 for subsequent issues. The latest contempt hearing is set for October 28.
Supporters of Robinson have staged protests outside Downing Street, demanding his release amid mounting legal troubles.
