Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has left the UK just before a scheduled court appearance regarding alleged contempt of court. The High Court was informed that an arrest warrant has been issued for Robinson after he failed to show up at the Royal Courts of Justice for a hearing related to his actions.
The legal troubles for Robinson stem from a film he played at a protest in central London, which was deemed a “flagrant” breach of a court order. This order was put in place after Robinson lost a libel case in 2021, where he was found guilty of making false claims about a Syrian refugee, Jamal Hijazi. The solicitor general initiated legal action against Robinson in June, claiming he had violated the court order by repeating the allegations.
On the day of the hearing, Adam Payter, representing the solicitor general, stated that Robinson is believed to have left the UK shortly after being released on unconditional bail following his arrest in Kent over the weekend. The arrest occurred at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, where police utilized counter-terrorism powers under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Mr. Justice Johnson, presiding over the case, issued a new warrant for Robinson’s arrest but decided that it would not be executed until early October. This decision was made to give Robinson the opportunity to voluntarily attend the next hearing or to apply to have the warrant set aside.
During the protest on Saturday, which Robinson organized, a film titled “Silenced” was shown. This film included a new introduction featuring Robinson, which was considered a direct violation of the injunction against him. Payter described this incident as an “admitted” breach of the court order.
The protest itself drew significant attention, with around 1,000 police officers deployed to maintain order as multiple demonstrations took place in central London. These included Robinson’s “Uniting the Kingdom” rally, a Stand Up to Racism march, and a trans-Pride protest. The events led to clashes and at least nine arrests.
Robinson’s actions have raised concerns about his intentions. He was reportedly reminded of the court hearing before being released on bail but chose to leave the country instead. The court was informed that he had been spending considerable time outside the UK, with reports of him being in Denmark and Canada prior to his return to the UK.
The legal issues surrounding Robinson began when he was sued by Jamal Hijazi after a viral video showed Hijazi being assaulted at school. Following the incident, Robinson made false claims about Hijazi, which led to the libel case. The court ruled in favor of Hijazi, ordering Robinson to pay £100,000 in damages and legal costs, along with an injunction preventing him from repeating the allegations.
Despite the court’s ruling, campaign group Hope Not Hate alleged that Robinson had ignored the injunction and continued to make false claims. They provided evidence to the Attorney General’s office, prompting further legal action against him.
As the situation unfolds, the High Court has indicated that a further hearing is expected in October. Robinson’s departure from the UK complicates matters, as he has effectively placed himself beyond the reach of the court’s jurisdiction. The implications of his actions and the ongoing legal proceedings will likely continue to attract public and media attention in the coming weeks.
Source: Various news outlets
