Tommy Robinson will miss his own protest after being arrested and held in custody just one day before thousands-strong demo is set to take place in London
Tommy Robinson will miss his own protest after being arrested by police today.
Tommy Robinson will miss his own protest after being arrested by police today.
The 41-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had organised a demonstration outside Downing Street tomorrow.
But the English Defence League founder was arrested by Kent Police at Folkestone Police Station just after 3pm and told he will be held in custody over the weekend.
He has been remanded in relation to his ongoing High Court contempt case which is due to be heard on Monday.
His X account posted: We can confirm that Tommy is now being held on remand until Monday where he will appear at Woolwich Crown Court at 10am.
Tommy Robinson will miss his own protest in London tomorrow after being arrested by Kent Police this afternoon
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was bailed in relation to a terror offence but remanded at Folkestone Police Station in relation to his ongoing High Court contempt case which is due to be heard on Monday
In a separate matter, Robinson, has been charged with failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act
It follows his arrest in July at a port in Kent where he was accused of failing to comply with demands from police.
Under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, officers are allowed to stop anyone passing through a UK port to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on November 13, 2024, in relation to the latter incident.
Robinson had been met by crowds of supporters at the police station who embraced him ahead of a march for thousands of people in London tomorrow.
The far-right firebrand arrived wearing a black coat and ripped jeans along with around 10 people in his entourage.
He carried a small bag and a large rucksack that he referred to as his prison bag which arrived in a separate BMW SUV at the same time, with supporters in a convoy behind.
Speaking to a supporter, Robinson said: I dont expect to come back out.
Indicating that he will not be present at tomorrow’s far-right march in central London, Robinson said: Have a good day tomorrow, brother.
Robinson said to a reporter: All Ive done is report the truth.
I am being tried for giving facts to the public. And whilst I do that youll all condemn me. Youll print their lies.
Several supporters began arriving at the site from 2pm – with many remaining to see what happens after chanting his name as he walked into the Kent police hub.
Robinson said to a reporter: I am being tried for giving facts to the public. And whilst I do that youll all condemn me
Robinsons X account posted: We can confirm that Tommy is now being held on remand until Monday where he will appear at Woolwich Crown Court at 10am
Earlier this week, Robinson posted a video in the arrivals lounge at Luton Airport where he said he was expecting to be arrested, but was instead able to walk through. Today, he claimed he will hand himself into police
Robinson originally left Britain on July 28, the day before he was due in the High Court for contempt of court proceedings. He returned to the UK this week
Robinson is facing jail after he was issued with a contempt of court claim against him following the airing of a film at a protest in central London.
He is alleged to have breached a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.
It is understood the airing of a film, titled Silenced, at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in July is one of six actions claimed to have breached the injunction between June and July this year.
The film is also pinned to the top of his X account.
The political campaigner is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday for a two-day hearing in relation to the alleged contempt of court.
He was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country, with Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, telling the High Court that 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 posted a video of himself arriving at Luton Airport on October 20 and said he was surprised he had not been arrested.
The activist has applied to set aside the warrant and a ruling has not yet been made on the application.
Under the 2021 court order, Robinson was barred from repeating allegations he made against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi.
Mr Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.
After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case.
Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi £100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations he made against the then-teenager.
Robinson was also arrested in July at a port in Kent where he was accused of frustration of police counter-terrorism powers.
Tommy Robinson has told his one million followers on X that he plans to attend Folkestone police station at 3pm today ahead of a planned march by his supporters tomorrow
Security barriers have begun to be put up in Westminster around monuments and statues ahead of tomorrows planned far-right march
Thousands are expected to turn up for the march from Victoria station to Whitehall
At the time of his arrest, Kent Police said a 41-year-old man was detained by officers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.
Under schedule seven of the Terrorism Act, police are allowed to stop anyone passing through a UK port to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The person who is detained can be held for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions and must provide the password or Pin for electronic devices.
If they refuse, they will be held to have committed a criminal offence.
Robinson said he objected to a request from police for the Pin to his phone because there was privileged information on the device relating to an ongoing High Court case.
Tomorrows demonstration in the capital is expected to be met by a counter-protest from Stop the War campaigners.
The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are due to be supported by officers from other forces across the country as the Met said there will be a significant police presence to ensure the two groups are kept apart.
Robinson has only recently returned to the UK after time away abroad since July, around the time that far-right riots swept across the UK.
The reasons why he has been told to surrender himself, an assertion made by Robinson but not confirmed by police, are unclear.
Earlier this week, Robinson posted a video of himself in the arrivals lounge at Luton Airport where he expected to be arrested by waiting police officers, but was instead able to walk through to the exit without issue.
Robinson left Britain on July 28, the day before he was due in the High Court for contempt of court proceedings.
According to The Times, he had been staying in the Algarve in Portugal.
On Saturday, the protest organised by Robinson is due to march from Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest organised by Stand up to Racism will begin at Regent Street St Jamess and finish at the north end of Whitehall.
The Met said static rallies are expected at the end of both marches.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the policing operation, said: We are well prepared for what is set to be a busy day in the centre of London.
Our role is to ensure that those attending the various events can do so safely and that they can exercise their right to lawful protest.
We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum.
We know that when groups with opposing views come together it can lead to conflict and disorder, and a key part of our role is ensuring that does not happen.
We have used Public Order Act conditions to ensure that those involved stick to routes and assembly areas that are sufficiently far apart.
Officers will be monitoring closely to ensure that conditions are adhered to.
The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are due to be supported by officers from other forces across the country as the Met said there will be a significant police presence to keep the group apart from Stop The War protesters
Robinson is currently facing jail after he was issued with a contempt of court claim against him following the airing of a film at a protest in central London
Protesters outside Downing Street in London in July protesting the arrest of Robinson at the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone
Robinson, pictured here at the St Georges Day rally in April, told his one million X followers he was coming home to unite the kingdom
Demonstrators outside New Scotland Yard in London in July protesting the arrest of Robinson
Ms Williams continued: The impact of frequent significant protest in central London is considerable, not least on the officers deployed to police them.
Many would be working in other frontline roles if they werent required for these events.
Were grateful for the assistance of colleagues from other forces whose contribution means we are able to police protests while also keeping local communities across London safe.
