Thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters turned up at the Old Bailey today as the far-right leader had his contempt of court allegation referred to the Attorney General.
Robinson appeared at the Old Bailey facing an allegation that he had committed contempt by filming people before a criminal trial.
About 2,000 of his supporters, and some opponents, gathered outside the court.
He arrived in a security cordon flanked by his closest advisers from his days running the English Defence League to loud cheers and chanting. Some supporters were carrying far-right banners – including two banners from organisations which are considered to be highly Islamophobic.
But within minutes of his case being heard Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC ruled it needed to be referred up for further consideration. The 35-year-old – who appeared under his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was then released on bail.
The Attorney General – the government’s chief legal adviser – has the power to discontinue the case.
After the case, his supporters were jubilant, hailing him as a martyr for free speech.
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Robinson told the cheering crowd from a stage: “I shouldn’t face another trial. I’ve been here three times with a prison bag. I’ve kissed my kids goodbye three times.” But he welcomed the referral to the attorney general and said he hoped he “makes the right decision.”
In May 2017, Robinson filmed four men outside a court who were later convicted of gang-raping a teenage girl. The trial was subject to reporting restrictions, and a judge at Canterbury Crown Court gave him a three-month suspended sentence for contempt of court.
In May 2018, he was jailed for potentially prejudicing a court case after broadcasting on social media outside Leeds Crown Court.
He was sentenced to 13 months – 10 months for the contempt of court in Leeds and a further three months for breaching the previous suspended sentence. Robinson appealed against both contempt findings.
Three judges quashed the Leeds ruling, saying the judge should not have commenced contempt proceedings that day.
They ordered the case be reheard so that the allegations could be fully examined and, after a brief appearance at the Old Bailey in September, the case was adjourned until today.
