Latest news with #EnglishDefenceLeague
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Con men use race to distract from society's most glaring division
Stephen Yaxley was born to an immigrant Irish mother in England, but for some reason has always been ashamed of his Irishness. That led to him forming an 'English Defence League'. After leaving school he worked for a time at Luton Airport, but lost that job when he was sentenced to a year in prison for a drunken, violent assault on a police officer. Ever since then, he's never really had what most folk would consider an honest job. His activities always seem to involve raising funds by some sort of con. READ MORE: SNP call out BBC over 'unacceptable' Hamilton by-election programme Perhaps in an attempt to cover up this criminal record, Yaxley started using the alias 'Tommy Robinson'. He has also used a range of other aliases. Imagine being so ashamed of your own identity you've got to use so many different false names, trying to hide who you are! In September 2011, 'Robinson' was convicted of another assault, for headbutting a fellow member of the English Defence League. Yaxley-Lennon has just been released from his latest stint in prison. He said thank you to Elon Musk for getting him out. This petty crook gives thanks to the richest man on Earth. That's fascism for you; the filthy rich linked with small-time crooks using race to direct everybody's attention away from the real glaring divide in society: class Despite their pride, Trump, Musk, and Fromage are all failures. What they fail at (and, of course, those nearest to them, including their own families, realise this, even if most of them think it's probably safer to keep quiet) is being even slightly decent human beings. Forget hatred; what they deserve is our contempt. As for that posturing puppet Yaxley-Lennon/'Robinson', yes, he's also contemptible, as well as being pathetic. Dave Coull Findowrie A GP appointment costs £129. An MRI scan is £457. Calling an ambulance sets the NHS back £1045. An A&E visit averages £1368. A life-saving coronary bypass operation costs £71,996. Crucially, every penny of this is covered upfront for every UK citizen through National Insurance. No bills at the hospital door. No crippling invoices. Treatment is guaranteed when you need it. Now consider the private, profit-driven model Farage tacitly endorses. In the US – where healthcare is a market commodity – 600,000 people are bankrupted by medical bills every single year. Countless others die preventable deaths, denied care either by empty wallets or insurers who profit by refusing to pay claims. The system is structurally perverse: it rewards denial of treatment. READ MORE: Nigel Farage: Don't take Nigel Farage's threat to abortion rights lightly This is the grim future Nigel Farage and his Reform party would drag Britain towards. Farage – a man whose contempt for Scotland drips from his poisonous 'subsidy junkies' slur – represents the worst kind of nativist grift. His vision is one of division and dismantled security. Voting for Reform in Scotland isn't just misguided; it's akin to sleepwalking into self-inflicted disaster, ignoring every historical warning about empowering demagogues who peddle hate. Those tempted by Farage's facile lies must understand the brutal arithmetic. The choice is simple: defend the NHS – that rare, tangible embodiment of collective solidarity that actually works – or surrender to a predatory American-style system where illness means financial ruin. To choose Reform is to choose cruelty over care, profit over people. It is an act of profound self-harm. Alan Hinnrichs Dundee OUR NHS hits the headlines once again this week, and opposition parties once again attempt political point-scoring at the expense of those suffering and waiting. Yet those very opposition parties have been in charge of the NHS in other parts of the UK and unfortunately for those NHS areas and Scotland, a solution to long waiting lists has not been realised, only criticism. No constructive ideas, no examples of better practice, only criticism which demoralises NHS staff who are loyal and dedicated. But where do we go with the future of our NHS and for all who are often in pain and misery awaiting treatment? Unfortunately, a magic wand won't fix it. We all need to take some responsibility for the system. For instance, no missing appointments, using the fully joined-up approach of perhaps a visit to the pharmacy first, taking pressure off other services further down the line. READ MORE: John Swinney: Nigel Farage 'has peddled Russian propaganda for years' NHS nurses and doctors in Scotland are the best paid in the UK and I am sure most would agree we want to continue this practice. The Scottish Government's latest accepted pay offer continues this theme with 'Agenda for Change' staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, and porters – receiving a 4.25% pay rise this year, backdated to April 1, and a further 3.75% increase in 2026/27. This is the SNP in government recognising and valuing our dedicated NHS employees, taking action. Going forward, the government has invested massive amounts in our NHS, yet services still demand more. Perhaps a tax increase of 1p in the pound ring-fenced for our NHS is one to put on the table. This option would be more palatable here in Scotland than UK Labour's approach of back-door privatisation. Catriona C Clark Falkirk
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Tommy Robinson back on streets after being released from prison
He is due back before the courts on a seperate matter next week Robinson was filmed with longer hair and a bushy beard on his release from prison (@TRobinsonNewEra/X/PA) Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been released from prison just days after a high court judge ruled that his sentence could be cut by four months. He was due for release on July 26th, but was spotted leaving HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes this morning. Images show Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, sporting a bushy beard, after he grew out his hair while behind bars. Sporting wooden rosary beads around his neck, Robinson took to X to share a 27-minute-long video following his release. Robinson was filmed with longer hair and a bushy beard on his release from prison (@TRobinsonNewEra/X/PA) News in 90 Seconds - May 27th In the video he told his supporters that he would organise a 'free speech festival' in London later this year. He also thanked X founder Elon Musk adding: 'because without X, if we didn't have X, everyone would just think I lied. No one would have got any other narrative. "These attempts at censorship, to silence, to cancel people, it hasn't worked. You've attempted to lock up the truth. And that truth has been echoed around the entire globe." Trump's right-hand man, Elon Musk, previously called for the release of Robinson while accusing Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute child rapists in Oldham in Greater Manchester. The president's billionaire pal previously pinned a message at the top of his X feed stating, 'Free Tommy Robinson!' As well as a number of messages in support of Robinson, Musk posted several times about rape gangs in Rochdale and Oldham, while attacking the prime minister and the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, over their responses to the scandal. Robinson is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court next Thursday on a separate matter after he was charged with harassment causing fear of violence against two men between August 5th and 7th, 2024. He was jailed for 18 months last October after he admitted to breaching a court order on multiple occasions. The injunction was made to prevent him from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who sued him for liable. Sentencing judge, Mr Justice Johnson said that the sentence was made up of a punitive element of 14 months and a coercive element of 4 months. The court heard that the 4-month sentence would be reduced if he took steps to comply with the court order. At a court hearing on Tuesday, legal counsel for Robinson said he had shown 'commitment' to complying with the order. The judge told the court that while Robinson didn't show remorse, he had demonstrated a 'change in attitude' since he was first jailed He added that the English Defence League founder has 'no intention' of breaching the order again, and is 'aware of the consequences' if he did so. Robinson admitted to breaching the injunction, which was imposed after he was successfully sued by schoolboy Jamal Hijazi, a total of 10 times. Robinson had falsely claimed that the then 15-year-old had attacked girls at his school in Huddersfield. He was ordered to pay Hijazi £100,000 in damages as well as the boy's legal costs. A judge then imposed the injunction to stop Robinson from repeating the false allegations.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Far-right anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson freed early from prison after judge notes ‘change in attitude'
Tommy Robinson after being released from jail (Photo: X) British TV channels interrupted their regular broadcast on Tuesday morning after Tommy Robinson was released from prison four months early. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for 18 months for contempt of court after repeatedly breaching a 2021 injunction. The injunction had been granted to prevent him from making false claims against a Syrian refugee, who later won a libel case against him. GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes told viewers: 'Tommy Robinson has been released from jail, that is four months early. He was originally jailed for 18 months for contempt of court after multiple breaches of an injunction, that was four years ago, but reportedly showed a "change in attitude.' 'He was originally due to be released on July 26," he added. Robinson looked visibly changed in his first public appearance since his release, sporting a thick beard and appearing older. Social media quickly reacted to the images, with many saying he was 'unrecognisable.' Court decision follows legal application to purge contempt Robinson's early release came after a legal request to purge his contempt of court charge. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo His lawyers told the high court he had demonstrated a 'commitment' to complying with the injunction. This commitment included refraining from repeating defamatory statements about the Syrian teenager. Although progress had been made, Justice Johnson said Robinson still showed 'no real remorse or contrition.' Even so, he noted there had been a 'change in attitude' since sentencing, which helped justify cutting the sentence. Lawyers representing the Solicitor General did not oppose the move, saying Robinson had taken necessary steps to follow the terms of the court order. Controversial figure remains divisive Robinson remains one of the UK's most controversial political figures. He co-founded the far-right English Defence League in 2009 and has faced multiple legal issues since. His supporters have often claimed he is unfairly targeted by the establishment, while critics have long denounced his inflammatory rhetoric and criminal record. His release will likely reignite debate over freedom of speech, contempt of court, and the limits of public discourse. The very issues Robinson himself has often used as rallying cries. Following Robinson's release, the reaction online was swift and polarised. Supporters celebrated his release, while critics questioned the decision and the message it might send.
Sunday World
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Tommy Robinson to be released within days after high court cuts sentence
He was jailed for breaching a court order on 10 occasions Tommy Robinson was jailed at Woolwich Crown Court last October after admitting 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021 (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Far-right activist Tommy Robinson is set to be released from prison within days after a high court judge ruled that his sentence could be cut by four months. Robison, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for 18 months last October after he admitted to breaching a court order on multiple occasions. He was due for release on July 26th, but will now be free within a matter of days, a court heard. The injunction was made to prevent him from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who sued him for liable. Sentencing judge, Mr Justice Johnson said that the sentence was made up of a punitive element of 14 months and a coercive element of 4 months. Tommy Robinson was jailed at Woolwich Crown Court last October after admitting 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021 (Jordan Pettitt/PA) News in 90 seconds - 21st May The court heard that the 4-month sentence would be reduced if he took steps to comply with the court order. At a court hearing on Tuesday, legal counsel for Robinson said he had shown 'commitment' to complying with the order. The judge told the court that while Robinson didn't show remorse, he had demonstrated a 'change in attitude' since he was first jailed. He added that the English Defence League founder has 'no intention' of breaching the order again, and is 'aware of the consequences' if he did so. Robinson admitted to breaching the injunction, which was imposed after he was successfully sued by schoolboy Jamal Hijazi, a total of 10 times. Robinson had falsely claimed that the then 15-year-old had attacked girls at his school in Huddersfield. He was ordered to pay Hijazi £100,000 in damages as well as the boy's legal costs. A judge then imposed the injunction to stop Robinson from repeating the false allegations. In January, Disgraced UFC star Conor McGregor threw his support behind Robinson while attending the inauguration of Donald Trump. A reporter said he wanted to talk to McGregor about how Ireland is 'having a problem with illegal immigration, just like America (and) just like the UK'. Conor McGregor and Tommy Robinson 'One of the leading voices in the UK, a guy named Tommy Robinson, who also happens to be part Irish is locked up right now (for) bringing attention not only to immigration and to the rape of Britain but also for exposing trouble with refugees,' the reporter states. 'What do you think about Tommy's predicament right now in the UK and the fact that he's locked up for playing the documentary film? McGregor replies in the encounter that was filmed: 'For the life of me I can't understand why we wish to hide these horrific crimes and shield them from light. 'Light is the best disinfectant and light is needed so for anyone that sheds light on this they do not deserve to be turned on in society, they deserve to be praised. 'So, you know, I pray for more light on the bad things that happen,' he said. Trump's right-hand man, Elon Musk, previously called for the release of Robinson while accusing Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute child rapists in Oldham in Greater Manchester. The president's billionaire pal previously pinned a message at the top of his X feed stating 'Free Tommy Robinson!' As well as a number of messages in support of Robinson, Musk posted several times about rape gangs in Rochdale and Oldham, while attacking the prime minister and the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, over their responses to the scandal. McGregor attended a ball ahead of Trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States just days after a judge ordered him to pay Nikita Hand €100,000 of her €250,000 damages and €200,000 of her expected €1.3m legal costs. Last November a jury found McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand in a civil case she took against him over an alleged rape in December 2018.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tommy Robinson to be released from prison early
The far-right anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, is due to be released from prison four months early. His 18-month sentence for contempt of court was reduced after a hearing at the High Court on Tuesday. Yaxley-Lennon was jailed last October because he ignored an order not to repeat false allegations about a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel. His lawyers told the court he had since shown a "commitment" to comply with the order. Mr Justice Johnson granted the application to have the sentence reduced because Yaxley-Lennon had shown a "change in attitude" since he was sentenced. The 42-year-old is due to be released from prison within the next week, the judge said. The judge noted there was an "absence of contrition or remorse" from Yaxley-Lennon, but added: "He has given an assurance that he will comply with the injunction in the future, that he has no intention of breaching it again, and that he is aware of the consequences of what would happen if he breached the injunction again." The sentence handed down to Yaxley-Lennon in October was made up of two elements. The first was a 14-month "punitive" element, while the second was a four-month "coercive" element. At the time, Mr Justice Johnson said that the four-month "coercive" element could be removed from his sentence if he took steps to comply with the order that barred him from repeating lies about the Syrian refugee. This week, the High Court accepted Yaxley-Lennon had tried to comply with the order. The judge said "the practical effect" of this "is that the defendant will be released once he has completed the punitive element, which I understand will be within the next week." He was originally due to be released from prison on 26 July. Yaxley-Lennon attended the hearing via video-link from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. He showed no immediate reaction once the judgment was handed down. The former leader of the now-defunct English Defence League had wrongly claimed in a viral video that a Syrian teenager was a violent thug. The teenager successfully sued him for libel for these claims. In 2021, an injunction was made that barred Yaxley-Lennon from repeating the false allegations. He was jailed last year for 10 admitted breaches of the injunction after the Solicitor General issued two contempt claims against him.
