Tommy Robinson Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison
Tommy Robinson, one of the most prominent figures associated with far-right and anti-immigrant movements in Britain, was sentenced on Monday to 18 months in prison for violating a court order. This order was in place to prevent him from reiterating false claims about a teenage Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel.
During the court proceedings, Mr. Robinson acknowledged his contempt of court by admitting to breaching a High Court ruling from 2021, which explicitly prohibited him from restating the libelous allegations against the young Syrian refugee.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is famously known as the founder of the English Defence League (EDL). This group is notorious for its Islamophobic sentiments and nationalist rhetoric, becoming infamous for its violent street protests that took place during the late 2000s and 2010s. While he was once a significant figure within the far-right spectrum of British politics, his influence had waned in recent years.
At 41 years old, Robinson returned to the UK last week after spending several months abroad. Following his return, he voluntarily presented himself at a police station in Kent. On Friday, he was detained on a separate charge before appearing in court in Woolwich, located in southeastern London.
The timing of his sentencing was notable, occurring just two days after thousands of his supporters gathered in London for a march and rally, which was met with a substantial counter-demonstration. Both events were generally peaceful, although they featured a significant police presence and resulted in only a handful of arrests.