FREE TOMMY CALL
Steve Bannon calls for Tommy Robinson’s release from prison as the former Trump adviser hails EDL founder as ‘solid guy’
EX-DONALD Trump aide Steve Bannon has today called for Tommy Robinson to be freed from jail.
The former chief strategist called the far right wing activist a "solid guy" and insisted: "He's got to be released from prison."
6
Robinson was jailed for 13 months for contempt of court in May, having made comments in an online video that risked collapsing a trial.
Theo Usherwood, the former Breitbart editor revealed he didn't think the English Defence League founder was a "bad guy".
In a dramatic clash on air today, LBC's Mr Usherwood challenged former White House strategist Bannon's calls for Robinson to be released from jail, saying: "He broke the law."
Yet Bannon continued to insist on Robinson needing to be freed, saying the law that had seen Robinson jailed was "very restrictive".
6
And while the debate moved on, the radio broadcaster later claimed the stoush continued off-air.
Writing on Twitter, Mr Usherwood said: "Bannon to me off-air: "F*** you. Don't you fucking say you're calling me out. You f***ing liberal elite.
"Tommy Robinson is the backbone of this country."
And when challenged about airing a "private" conversation on Twitter, the journalist added: "For the record, nothing was agreed beforehand.
6
6
"At the end of the interview, the mics went down, Steve put his headphones on the desk, stood up and made his feelings known.
"If he wanted the conversation to be off-the-record, he should have said."
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had already been on a suspended sentence for a previous contempt offence in Canterbury last year when he was jailed.
The judge who sentenced Robinson told him his actions may cost taxpayers "hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds".
His arrest sparked a mass protest outside Downing Street as supporters called for his release, with the slogan #FreeTommy.
6
6
Clashes also broke out between protesters and anti-fascists during Donald Trump's visit to London this week.
Demonstrators took to the streets and chanted "we want Tommy out" as others delivered speeches demanding he be freed.
But anti-fascist protesters were quick to confront them, many of them armed with sticks and wearing balaclavas.
Onlookers at the scene said the scuffles were quickly brought back under control by police, who had a heavy presence for the demos.
CONTEMPT DEFINED: What is contempt of court and why can you be jailed for it?
Tommy Robinson was jailed for contempt of court after publishing material that could prejudice an ongoing trial.
In the UK, a person can be found in contempt of court if they wilfully defy a court order.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the main types of the offence can be physically interfering in a trial, threatening witnesses or obstructing justice.
Showing disrespect to a judge can also be contempt of the court.
If someone is in contempt of the Magistrates' Court, a person can be imprisoned for one month or face a fine of up to £2,500.
But for those in contempt of a crown court, they can be jailed for up to two years or face a fine.
In the UK, media can only report the facts of a case.
In the US, contempt of court is generally not considered to be a criminal offence.
Due to the First Amendment, the media outlet cannot be found in contempt of court.
It's not the first time things have gotten out of hand.
During a protest on June 9, nine people were arrested after the group threw bottles, metal barriers and objects at officers – injuring five cops in the process.
Police placed restrictions on this week's "Free Tommy Robinson" and Pro-Trump rally because it claimed they was too close to the US ambassador's residence in Regent's Park.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Meanwhile one of Donald Trump's ambassadors has called on the UK to treat jailed Tommy "sympathetically".
It is alleged that Sam Brownback, the United States Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, complained to the British ambassador in Washington DC in a June meeting with Sir Kim Darroch, Britain’s Ambassador to the US.
The claims were made by a British official and two sources close to the organisers of the pro-Robinson demonstration that took place today.
Tommy Robinson protestors block buses at demonstration in London
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.