The Metropolitan Police have refuted claims that Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League, was arrested under counter-terrorism laws. These allegations surfaced following a post on Robinson’s verified social media platforms earlier today. However, the Met has clarified that there is no involvement from their side in any such arrest, and Bedfordshire Police, who have previously interacted with Robinson, also denied any participation.
This controversy follows less than a day after Robinson led a large-scale rally at Trafalgar Square, dubbed “Uniting The Kingdom,” which reportedly drew thousands of supporters. The rally featured speeches from Robinson and other far-right figures and included the screening of a controversial documentary. This event has raised significant legal and public safety questions, given Robinson’s provocative history and the content shared at the rally.
In response to the claims of his arrest, a statement from the Met emphasized that they “do not recognize” these claims and confirmed no current Met police action against Robinson. UKNIP, attempting to verify these claims, has found no evidence of arrest by any other UK police force at this time.
The confusion and misinformation come at a sensitive time for Robinson, who is known for his contentious activities and the strong reactions they often provoke. This incident highlights the complex and often tense relationship between Robinson’s public actions and law enforcement’s responses to them.
