Far-right Islamophobe Tommy Robinson is charging followers up to £28 a minute for private video consultations, where he gives advice on protests, infiltrating groups and “investigating” mosques, according to a Times investigation.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has sold more than 300 sessions since June through an app called Minnect, earning at least £9,000. Customers submit questions and receive written or recorded replies, or can pay over £500 for live calls.
The 42-year-old, who co-founded the far-right English Defence League (EDL) in 2009, promotes himself on the platform as an “anti-Islam activist” offering “unfiltered truth” on politics, immigration and censorship.
A Times journalist posing as an aspiring activist paid Robinson for four videos earlier this month while he was wanted by police in connection with an alleged assault at London’s St. Pancras station. Robinson has since returned from Portugal, been arrested and released on bailed, and claims he acted in self-defence.
In the clips, Robinson praised protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers as “brilliant” and predicted they would spread across the summer. He also told the undercover reporter to “investigate the mosques” in their local area, urging them to produce videos online.
“Get active, son… Find some confidence,” he said. “Look at the funding. Start doing videos talking about it.”
Robinson further advised on how to avoid “infiltration” by the security services, encouraged blunt social media content, and promoted a rally he is organising in London next month, which he claimed would be “the biggest thing this country’s seen.”
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
Advice to racists and extremists
Although Robinson has denied supporting violence, some of his paying clients are extremists who openly use racial slurs, call Muslims “rats,” or advocate violent measures against migrants.
One consultation available on his profile shows him responding to a man calling for a military-style “firm” to protect Britain’s borders. Robinson described the situation as “dangerous,” claimed Britain was heading towards “populist revolution,” and suggested there would be “no solution without chaos.”
Another client who praised Robinson online has posted about “Islamic rats” and urged people to “smash and overthrow” the government.
A further individual who reportedly bought sessions has shared content threatening Prime Minister Keir Starmer. There is no evidence Robinson knew of these specific posts.
Lucrative platform
Robinson’s advice is sold through Minnect, a Florida-based consultancy app founded by the pro-Israel conservative commentator Patrick Bet-David, who has previously hosted Robinson on his podcast. Minnect describes itself as a service turning public figures into “personal mentors.”
Robinson’s fees are among the platform’s lower-tier offers compared with other figures such as Bet-David himself, who charges $12,000 for a 15-minute call. Minnect takes a 20 per cent cut from each transaction.
While the app is officially marketed in the U.S. and Canada, it is accessible via UK app stores. Minnect said it complies with relevant laws and bans material that incites violence, though admitted it cannot review all content.
Background
Robinson led the EDL until 2013 but has remained a prominent figure within anti-Islam circles, building a large online following in the last two years.
He has accused politicians such as Nigel Farage of being too moderate and recently joined a political vehicle, Advance UK, alongside former Reform UK deputy leader Ben Habib.
During last summer’s far-right riots, Robinson was accused of instigating unrest after posting a video urging for migrants to be kicked out of hotels. Crowds were later filmed chanting his name during riots.
Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, platforms such as Minnect are required to tackle harmful content or face large fines. Apple and Google were contacted about the app’s availability in Britain but did not comment.
Robinson has declined to respond to The Times’ findings, but said on social media he would not be “cancelled”.
