From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 28, 2024
Founder of far-right English Defence League jailed for 18 months for contempt of court
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
A judge sentences the founder of the far-right English Defence League to a year and a half in prison for contempt of court for violating an order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee.
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, admits in Woolwich Crown Court that he violated a 2021 court injunction on several occasions while giving interviews broadcast on YouTube, and in a documentary he presented during a rally in London’s Trafalgar Square in July that was also posted on his X account.
Robinson had been ordered not to repeat false allegations that a former schoolboy, Jamal Hijazi, had bullied and threatened other students. Hijazi had successfully sued him for libel and was awarded 100,000 British pounds ($130,000) in damages.
The Solicitor General finds Robinson violated the injunction on 10 occasions since 2023, including by airing a documentary, titled “Silenced,” he made on the case that has been viewed more than 44 million times.
In recent months, Jewish community leaders have asked Robinson to stay away from demonstrations against antisemitism in London.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.