Who Is Tommy Robinson, the Far-Right Activist Behind a London Rally?

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the person behind the English Defence League, is leading an expanding movement that played a significant role in the anti-immigrant riots that occurred this summer.

October 26, 2024, Updated at 3:36 AM ET

London was prepared for a protest on Saturday, expecting thousands of followers of the far-right figure Tommy Robinson to gather.

Mr. Robinson, born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is the most prominent figure within the fragmented yet expanding far-right movement in the UK. His name echoed during various anti-immigrant riots that took place across the nation in August.

Mr. Robinson, aged 41, planned and publicized the rally for Saturday; however, he won't be able to attend. He was taken into custody by the police on Friday and is set to appear in court on Monday. He faces allegations of continuously making defamatory statements about a Syrian refugee, which goes against a court order issued in 2021.

Antiracism advocates have organized a counterprotest for Saturday. In a statement released on Friday, the police indicated that the two events will occur in separate areas of central London. Officers will keep a close eye on the situation to ensure that everyone remains "adequately distanced" to avoid any major disruptions.

Who Is Tommy Robinson Really?

Mr. Robinson, the creator of the English Defence League, a nationalist organization that gained notoriety for its aggressive protests against Islam in the late 2000s and 2010s, had been a relatively insignificant presence in British politics until recently.

In 2018, he was prohibited from using Twitter due to violations of its policies regarding disrespectful behavior. The next year, his accounts on Facebook and Instagram were also suspended because he continually violated their hate speech regulations.

For several years, his impact diminished. However, after Elon Musk acquired Twitter, now renamed X, in 2022, Mr. Robinson's account was reactivated. He currently boasts over a million followers, and a video he shared titled "Silenced" has garnered 55 million views. Earlier this year, Mr. Musk reacted to one of Mr. Robinson's posts with two exclamation marks.

Mr. Robinson has built relationships with right-wing organizations in the U.S., making appearances on platforms like Fox News and the Infowars website. He has also obtained financial support from a conservative American research organization known as the Middle East Forum. Enrique Tarrio, the former head of the Proud Boys and currently serving time for his involvement in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, has referred to him as a source of inspiration.

Following the tragic stabbing incident during a dance class in Southport, England, in August, which resulted in the deaths of three children, Mr. Robinson was alleged to have played a role in inciting the subsequent riots. He shared misinformation regarding the attacker's identity on social media and urged his followers on X, saying, "Go there and express your solidarity. It's time for people to stand up."

Mr. Robinson has a history of multiple criminal offenses and has spent time in prison on four occasions. His sentences include time served in 2005 for assault, in 2012 for traveling to the United States with someone else’s passport, in 2014 for mortgage fraud, and in 2018 for failing to comply with a court order.

What's The Saturday Rally All About?

Recently, Mr. Robinson has invited his supporters to participate in a rally called “Unite the Kingdom” in London. This event is anticipated to highlight the treatment of individuals who were arrested during the summer riots, as several of those found guilty of violent offenses have been sentenced to prison. It’s possible that some relatives of the incarcerated may also be present at the rally.

The rally will serve as a measure of how well the far-right can gather support. In late July, thousands participated in another "Unite the Kingdom" event in central London alongside Mr. Robinson. However, planned protests across the nation following the summer riots failed to gain traction as right-wing supporters faced a significantly larger crowd of counter-protesters.

Prior to his arrest, Mr. Robinson informed his social media followers that the rally scheduled for Saturday would still take place, regardless of his ability to be present. He stated, "Saturday is still on. It doesn’t matter what happens. Everything is organized and set, even if I'm not there."

Why Is Tommy Robinson In Court On Monday?

In 2021, Mr. Robinson faced a lawsuit due to his misleading statements regarding a teenage Syrian refugee named Jamal Hijazi, who was attacked at a school in northern England. Following the circulation of videos showing the assault on the refugee, Mr. Robinson incorrectly claimed in Facebook videos that the refugee was “violent towards young English girls at his school,” had “beaten a girl severely,” and had made threats to stab a boy.

Court records show that his posts received over a million views.

During the trial, the judge ruled that Mr. Robinson was guilty of libel and mandated that he pay damages amounting to 100,000 pounds, roughly equivalent to $137,000, in addition to covering the teenager's legal expenses. The judge noted that because of the posts, Mr. Hijazi faced harassment that forced him and his family to leave their residence, and ultimately caused him to give up his education.

The court has placed a restriction on Mr. Robinson, prohibiting him from sharing or making any similar claims about Mr. Hijazi.

Mr. Robinson is scheduled to go to court on Monday facing accusations of repeatedly violating a court order. This includes the airing of a film that contained defamatory comments about a refugee during a demonstration in London last July.

At first, he was supposed to go to court on July 29, but he fled the country before the hearing took place. On Friday, he turned himself in at a police station in Folkestone, Kent, and the authorities announced he will stay in custody until Monday morning. If he is convicted, he faces a possible prison sentence of up to four years.

Nick Lowles, the leader of Hope Not Hate, a UK organization that studies extremist groups, commented on Friday, saying, “It’s probable that Lennon will attempt to portray himself as a martyr for the cause of free speech.”

Stephen Castle serves as a London correspondent for The Times, covering a range of topics related to Britain, including its political landscape and its ties with Europe. Learn more about Stephen Castle.