Tommy Robinson will appear in court today and tomorrow over an allegation he committed contempt of court by filming defendants in a criminal trial and broadcasting footage on social media. He will be tried under his real name of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Robinson spent two months in jail before being freed after a previous finding of contempt was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August 2018. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC then lodged a fresh case against Robinson announcing the case to cries of ‘hear hear’ in Parliament.
On Thursday and Friday at the Old Bailey, the High Court judges will hear the new application by the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC to commit Robinson to prison. Robinson could be sent back to jail for up to two years if found guilty. During his previous incarceration significant protests erupted with many accusing it of being state sponsored persecution.
During the hearing at the Old Bailey in June, Andrew Caldecott QC said the Attorney General considers Robinson’s conduct during the Leeds Crown Court trial to be of “great concern”. He told the court that in one part of the broadcast, Robinson said of a defendant: “Harass him, find him, go knock on his door, follow him, see where he works, see what he’s doing.”
Mr Caldecott said Robinson also discussed how his video would be shared and “hopefully millions” of people would see it. He added:
“The Attorney General is extremely concerned that conduct of the kind, particularly in those two passages seen in the context of the wider video, should in any way be considered as acceptable.”
The barrister said it was “unfortunate” the history of the case was “prolonged” and acknowledged it had caused increased stress for Robinson.
He also stated that Tommy’s legal team had “advanced various reasons why contempt proceedings should not be pursued exceptionally arduous conditions of imprisonment he has already endured, a medical matter delay and cost to the public purse”.
During the Facebook live stream Robinson discussed a trial of members of a Huddersfield grooming gang while some defended his right to do so others argued that he risked the trial falling apart hence the potential for Prison. Other journalists have been accused of doing so before and the last imprisonment was from the 1940’s.
Tommy Robinson’s team have a large bus now parked outside the Old Bailey with crowds of supporters expected to be in attendance whilst a counter demonstration will take place by Stand up to Racism.
UNN’s Oliver Down is outside the court covering the case and we will keep you fully up to date with events.
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Lead Correspondent | David Clews is the Lead Correspondent for UNN, with over 20 years of political/campaigning experience and a wealth of social media and communication skills David gets to the heart of what is really important to the real people of the UK.
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