Tommy Robinson Exits UK Prior to Upcoming Court Hearing
- Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, departed from the UK on a Eurotunnel train on Sunday night.
- His departure comes just before a scheduled court case, raising questions about his intentions and legal strategy.
- The move has sparked speculation and debate within political and public circles regarding his future in the UK.
A senior judge has issued an arrest warrant for far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, after he left the UK ahead of a significant legal case. Mr. Justice Johnson has postponed the execution of the warrant until early October, allowing Yaxley-Lennon the opportunity to voluntarily attend the next court hearing. This legal action follows a 2021 defamation case in which Syrian teenager Jamal Hijazi was awarded £100,000 after Yaxley-Lennon falsely labeled him a violent thug, a claim he has since repeated despite a court order prohibiting such statements. The court was informed that Yaxley-Lennon had been summoned to the High Court to address allegations of contempt of court for disregarding the judge's order. His barrister described the situation as a "flagrant" breach of the court's directive, suggesting that Yaxley-Lennon intended to evade the hearing. The judge noted that police had no authority to prevent him from leaving the country, leading to concerns about his willingness to return for the proceedings. Mr. Justice Johnson expressed confidence that the contempt application should move forward in Yaxley-Lennon’s absence. The arrest warrant will be enforced if he returns to the UK and continues to refuse cooperation. This decision aims to provide him with a chance to explain his absence or seek to have the contempt ruling overturned. Yaxley-Lennon's legal troubles are extensive, including a 2005 conviction for assault, a suspended sentence for contempt of court in 2017, and a nine-month prison term in 2019 for interfering with a grooming gang trial. His latest court appearance was scheduled for July 2024, where he faces further allegations related to his repeated false claims about a refugee.