UK court clears far-right activist of refusing to leave London march against antisemitism

Metropolitan Police officers arrest British far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, during a demonstration in central London on November 26, 2023 to protest against antisemitism. (JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Metropolitan Police officers arrest British far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, during a demonstration in central London on November 26, 2023 to protest against antisemitism. (JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

British far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson is cleared of failing to comply with a dispersal order excluding him from a march against antisemitism.

Robinson, 41, was handcuffed and sprayed with synthetic pepper spray in London on November 26 after organizers said he was not welcome at the event.

But a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tells him there is no case to answer, as the police had not legally authorized the order, which is designed to prevent anti-social behavior.

The police officer who signed the order admitted in court that he used the wrong date on the paperwork.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, claimed to have been attending the march as a journalist and refused to leave, leading to his arrest.

On November 11, he had been seen among crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police as pro-Palestinian demonstrators called for a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas.

Robinson is a founder and former leader of the far-right English Defense League.

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