DEMO DRAMA
Tommy Robinson ‘flees UK’ after ‘facing jail’ over film shown to thousands of protesters at Trafalgar Square rally
Robinson was listed to appear for a hearing today as part of the contempt proceedings
TOMMY Robinson left the UK last night after he was arrested under 'anti-terror laws' at the Channel tunnel, the High Court heard.
The 41-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was facing a contempt of court hearing today for allegedly breaching an injunction in a libel case he lost.
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The proceedings relate to the same "libellous" film the EDL founder showed to thousands of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
The one hour and 45-minute documentary called Silenced, about a legal battle between Robinson and a Syrian schoolboy, was played on large screens in central London.
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) had filed papers to begin potential contempt proceedings after Robinson was accused of breaching a court order in June.
Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi successfully sued Robinson in 2021 after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.
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After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, leading to the libel case.
Following Mr Hijazi's successful libel claim, Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay him damages and his legal costs.
The judge had made an injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations he made against Mr Hijazi.
Campaign group Hope Not Hate alleged Robinson breached the injunction and repeated the allegations, providing 'evidence' to the Attorney General.
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Robinson was listed in his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, for a directions hearing as part of the contempt proceedings in front of Mr Justice Johnson today.
Someone found to be in contempt of court can be jailed for up to two years.
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Adam Payter, for the Solicitor General, told the High Court Robinson left the country last night.
He said: "On Saturday Mr Yaxley-Lennon was part of a large demonstration in central London.
"As part of that demonstration he played a film that is central to this application on a large screen in Trafalgar Square, entitled 'Silenced'."
Robinson was arrested under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at the Eurotunnel in Folkestone, Kent.
Mr Payter said: "We understand that he failed to cooperate with a port stop and search. The implication is that he was preparing to leave the country and to not attend this hearing today.
"Nonetheless he left the UK last night and there was nothing to stop him from doing so because he was released on bail.
"The information we have is that he is not within the jurisdiction of the UK."
Robinson visited Denmark and Canada last month, the court heard.
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Mr Justice Johnson said he would issue a warrant for Robinson's arrest, adding: "He was well aware of the hearing and decided to leave the jurisdiction."
The judge explained the arrest warrant will only come into effect on a date closer to the full contempt hearing in October.
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