Far right activist Tommy Robinson loses his court bid to overturn ban from London protests – but judge allows him into the capital for pre-arranged meetings with political groups
- Tommy Robinson, who’s real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday
- The 40-year-old is the founder of English Defence League
Far-right activist, Tommy Robinson, has lost a court appeal to overturn his ban on attending London protests, which he argued was an ‘abuse of human rights’.
The 40-year-old founder of English Defence League, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested at a march against antisemitism in central London on November 26 after its organisers said that they did not want him to attend.
Following the arrest a condition of his bail was that he may not enter the capital unless he was meeting with solicitors or attending court.
However a judge at Westminster magistrates court has altered these terms to allow him to enter the area inside the M25 for meetings with political groups that have been pre-approved by the Met Police.
The Met Police charged him with failing to comply with a section 35 direction excluding a person from an area after he attended an antisemitism protest on November 26 (pictured)
Robinson claimed that the conditions of his bail infringed on his human rights
READ MORE: Tommy Robinson is charged with breaching an exclusion order after being escorted from march against antisemitism
At Westminster magistrates court on Monday, Robinson argued his human rights are being infringed by the bail conditions, and insisted he should be allowed into the city to attend protests.
District Judge Michael Snow rejected the appeal, on the grounds that Robinson ‘showed significant hostility’ to police on the day of his arrest and that ‘he is likely to commit further offences.’
He said: ‘I know who Mr Lennon is. I know he has a particular view of matters and protests arising from what’s occurring in Israel and within the Middle East.’
‘Protests which have taken place in relation to the ongoing situation in the Middle East are continuing, and it’s likely, therefore, that Mr Lennon will wish to attend those protests, either to support or counter the position taken by others.
He will appear at Westminster magistrates court on January 22, but he indicated at Monday’s hearing that he intends to plead not guilty to the charge and take the case to trial. Pictured: Robinson being arrested on November 26
The judge continued: ‘I’m satisfied, because of the behaviour exhibited, on the basis of the allegations in the police statement, if Mr Lennon does attend he is likely to commit further offences.
‘He is entitled to exercise his democratic right in a way that doesn’t involve the risk of further offending.’
He was charged with failing to comply with a section 35 direction excluding a person from an area and he will appear at Westminster magistrates court on January 22.
Robinson indicated at Monday’s hearing that he intends to plead not guilty to the charge and take the case to trial.
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