Tommy Robinson Risks Arrest Warrant After Departing UK Ahead of Scheduled Hearing
- Tommy Robinson is facing a potential arrest warrant after leaving the UK prior to a court hearing.
- This legal action stems from an alleged breach of a court order initiated by the Solicitor General in June.
- As events unfold, the ramifications of his departure may impact both his legal status and public perception.
A High Court judge has issued an arrest warrant for far-right activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, after he failed to appear at a scheduled hearing regarding an alleged contempt of court case. Robinson was expected to attend the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday but did not show up, prompting legal action from the Solicitor General, who had previously initiated proceedings against him for breaching a court order following a 2021 libel case loss. During the hearing, the Solicitor General's representative, Adam Payter, revealed that Robinson had participated in a large demonstration in London over the weekend, where a film central to the contempt case was shown. Payter described Robinson's actions as a "flagrant" breach of the court order, asserting that he had left the UK to evade the court's jurisdiction. The court was informed that Robinson had returned to the UK specifically to publish the film before departing again. In a related incident, Kent Police arrested a 41-year-old man on Sunday for allegedly frustrating a port stop at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone. While the police did not confirm the identity of the arrested individual, it was suggested that Robinson was attempting to leave the country to avoid attending the hearing. Mr. Justice Johnson stated that he was satisfied the hearing could proceed without Robinson's presence, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for October.