Latest news with #EnglishDefenseLeague
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Tommy Robinson released: All about the anti-Islam campaigner's family, ex-wife, kids and surprising net worth
Tommy Robinson, the co-founder of the English Defense League (EDL), served a jail sentence for the civil offense of contempt of court, but he was released from prison four months early. Following his admission of several violations of a 2021 injunction, Robinson, 42, whose true name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was given an 18-month prison sentence in October. He was prohibited from making the same false accusations against a Syrian immigrant who had successfully sued him for libel by the injunction. On Tuesday morning, Robinson with a a thick beard, longer hair, and a rosary around his neck came out of Milton Keynes' HMP Woodhill. The far-right man was seen talking for about 20 minutes on his X account. When asked how he was doing after being released, Robinson pointed to the jail behind him and remarked, 'Unfortunately, in a country that doesn't believe in free speech, being a citizen journalist, this place is an occupational hazard.' The activist asserted that the British government had attacked him relentlessly, using lawfare as 'a weapon to silence me.' He complimented Elon Musk, saying that 'if we didn't have X, everyone would just think I lied,' and that all efforts to "silence" and suppress him over the years had failed. Later this year, Robinson plans to host a free speech event for supporters in London. His first release date was set on July 26. However, the High Court lowered his sentence last week after concluding that he had demonstrated a "change in attitude" since receiving his term. Also Read: Did Trump just express anger amid claims Harvard rejected Barron Trump? 'It's too much' Tommy Robinson was born to an Irish mother and an English father. He double-barrelled his last name after his mother married his stepfather, Thomas Lennon. The anti-Islam crusader and convicted felon is thought to be worth between £1 million and £2 million. The Guardian claims that Robinson receives money from all over the world and has a global network of affluent bankers. In a high court trial in 2022, he declared himself bankrupt after being sentenced to pay £100,000 in libel damages to a Syrian schoolboy about whom he had disseminated damaging, unfounded rumours online. Robinson allegedly had access to up to £3 million through assets, investments, contributions, and book sales, according to the advocacy organization Hope Not Hate. Robinson and his now-ex-wife Jenna Lennon got divorced in February 2021, just before the former was officially declared bankrupt. During their ten years of marriage, the former couple—who were married in 2011—had three children together, and Robinson's public persona was apparently unwelcome in the household.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson due for early release after UK judge's decision
LONDON (AP) — The U.K. High Court in London on Tuesday reduced the prison sentence of the far-right English Defense League's founder, and he could be released in the coming days. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October for violating a court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee. However, his lawyers told the court that he had since shown a 'commitment' to comply with the order, and as a result, Justice Jeremy Johnson granted the application to have the sentence reduced, which means he could be released on parole within the next week. Yaxley-Lennon had shown a 'change in attitude' since he was sentenced, Johnson said, while noting the "absence of contrition or remorse.' '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 judge said. Yaxley-Lennon, 42, who attended the hearing by videoconference from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, showed no immediate reaction once the judgment was handed down. He had admitted in court last October that he was in contempt of court for violating a 2021 injunction by giving interviews in a podcast and shown on YouTube, and in a documentary he presented during a rally in London's Trafalgar Square that was also posted on his X account and widely viewed. He had been ordered not to repeat false allegations that he made in 2018 that a teen, Jamal Hijazi, was a violent thug who bullied and threatened other students at a school in West Yorkshire in northern England. Videos he made about Hijazi led to abuse being directed at the boy. He dropped out of school and his family had to leave their home. Hijazi successfully sued for libel in London's High Court in July 2021 and was awarded 100,000 British pounds ($130,000) in damages and his court costs. In the past, Yaxley-Lennon has been jailed for assault, mortgage fraud and contempt of court. He founded the nationalist street protest group EDL in 2009. Even after the group faded from view around 2013, he remained one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain and can still draw large crowds to the streets.
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson due for early release after UK judge's decision
LONDON (AP) — The U.K. High Court in London on Tuesday reduced the prison sentence of the far-right English Defense League's founder, and he could be released in the coming days. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October for violating a court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee. However, his lawyers told the court that he had since shown a 'commitment' to comply with the order, and as a result, Justice Jeremy Johnson granted the application to have the sentence reduced, which means he could be released on parole within the next week. Yaxley-Lennon had shown a 'change in attitude' since he was sentenced, Johnson said, while noting the 'absence of contrition or remorse.' '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 judge said. Yaxley-Lennon, 42, who attended the hearing by videoconference from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, showed no immediate reaction once the judgment was handed down. He had admitted in court last October that he was in contempt of court for violating a 2021 injunction by giving interviews in a podcast and shown on YouTube, and in a documentary he presented during a rally in London's Trafalgar Square that was also posted on his X account and widely viewed. He had been ordered not to repeat false allegations that he made in 2018 that a teen, Jamal Hijazi, was a violent thug who bullied and threatened other students at a school in West Yorkshire in northern England. Videos he made about Hijazi led to abuse being directed at the boy. He dropped out of school and his family had to leave their home. Hijazi successfully sued for libel in London's High Court in July 2021 and was awarded 100,000 British pounds ($130,000) in damages and his court costs. In the past, Yaxley-Lennon has been jailed for assault, mortgage fraud and contempt of court. He founded the nationalist street protest group EDL in 2009. Even after the group faded from view around 2013, he remained one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain and can still draw large crowds to the streets.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson due for early release after UK judge's decision
LONDON (AP) — The U.K. High Court in London on Tuesday reduced the prison sentence of the far-right English Defense League's founder, and he could be released in the coming days. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October for violating a court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee. However, his lawyers told the court that he had since shown a 'commitment' to comply with the order, and as a result, Justice Jeremy Johnson granted the application to have the sentence reduced, which means he could be released on parole within the next week. Yaxley-Lennon had shown a 'change in attitude' since he was sentenced, Johnson said, while noting the 'absence of contrition or remorse.' '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 judge said. Yaxley-Lennon, 42, who attended the hearing by videoconference from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, showed no immediate reaction once the judgment was handed down. He had admitted in court last October that he was in contempt of court for violating a 2021 injunction by giving interviews in a podcast and shown on YouTube, and in a documentary he presented during a rally in London's Trafalgar Square that was also posted on his X account and widely viewed. He had been ordered not to repeat false allegations that he made in 2018 that a teen, Jamal Hijazi, was a violent thug who bullied and threatened other students at a school in West Yorkshire in northern England. Videos he made about Hijazi led to abuse being directed at the boy. He dropped out of school and his family had to leave their home. Hijazi successfully sued for libel in London's High Court in July 2021 and was awarded 100,000 British pounds ($130,000) in damages and his court costs. In the past, Yaxley-Lennon has been jailed for assault, mortgage fraud and contempt of court. He founded the nationalist street protest group EDL in 2009. Even after the group faded from view around 2013, he remained one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain and can still draw large crowds to the streets.
Toronto Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson due for early release after UK judge's decision
LONDON (AP) — The U.K. High Court in London on Tuesday reduced the prison sentence of the far-right English Defense League's founder, and he could be released in the coming days. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October for violating a court order barring him from repeating libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee.
