Tommy Robinson pleads guilty to contempt of court over false allegations against Syrian refugee

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson today admitted committing contempt of court by repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee, in breach of an injunction.

The 41-year-old founder of the now defunct English Defence League - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - admitted breaching the High Court order made in 2021 as he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday. Those who commit contempt of court can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

The Solicitor General issued two contempt claims against Robinson earlier this year, claiming he 'knowingly' breached the order on multiple occasions.

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Robinson appeared in the dock after being remanded in custody on Friday, wearing a grey suit and waistcoat with no tie.

At the start of a hearing Aidan Eardley KC, for the Solicitor General, said a 'resolution' had been reached over the allegations, and read them out to the court. When asked by Mr Justice Johnson whether he accepted he had committed the breaches, Robinson nodded and then replied 'yes'.

The hearing continues today.

Robinson attended Folkestone police station on Friday where he was remanded into custody and separately charged with failing to provide his mobile phone access code to police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. On Saturday, thousands of his supporters gathered in central London for a protest which the political activist missed after he was remanded.

Demonstrators carried placards reading “Two tier Keir fuelled the riots” and chanted “We want Tommy out” as they headed from Victoria station to Parliament Square.

Robinson was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country, with Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, telling the High Court there “was nothing to prevent him from doing so”. Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant for Robinson’s arrest but ordered that it not be carried out “until early October” to allow Robinson time to indicate that he would attend the next hearing voluntarily or to apply to “set aside” the warrant.

Robinson posted a video of himself arriving at Luton Airport on October 20 and said he was surprised he had not been arrested. He applied to set aside the warrant but his application was dismissed by Mr Justice Johnson on Friday.