Tommy Robinson admits contempt of court for repeating libellous claims against Syrian refugee

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has admitted contempt of court after he breached a High Court order preventing him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.

The 41-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday over breaches of a 2021 court order, including the airing of a film at a protest in Trafalgar Square in July.

Contempt of court can be punished by up to two years in prison.

Refugee Jamal Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.

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

The 41-year-old 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”.

Robinson surrendered to 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 his 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 applied to set aside the warrant but his application was dismissed by Mr Justice Johnson on Friday.

The hearing continues.

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