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Tommy Robinson: Contempt case referred to attorney general | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
An allegation of contempt of court against ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has been referred to the attorney general. | |
Mr Robinson appeared at the Old Bailey, facing an allegation that he had committed contempt by filming people before a criminal trial. | |
But within minutes Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC ruled it needed to be referred up for further consideration. | But within minutes Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC ruled it needed to be referred up for further consideration. |
The brief appearance was the latest in a long-running case that began in 2017. | |
The 35-year-old - who appeared under his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - was released on bail. | |
About 1,000 of his supporters, and some opponents, gathered outside the court. | |
After the hearing, Mr Yaxley-Lennon told the cheering crowd: "I shouldn't face another trial. I've been here three times with a prison bag. I've kissed my kids goodbye three times." | |
But he welcomed the referral to the attorney general and said he hoped he "makes the right decision". | |
The attorney general - the government's chief legal adviser - has the power to discontinue the case. | |
'Jubilant' crowds in song at the Old Bailey | |
By Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent | |
This is the second time the Stephen Yaxley-Lennon contempt of court allegation has been at the Old Bailey - and the second time it has been put off. | |
It is also the second time that hundreds of his supporters have turned out - perhaps even more than before - and that the City of London Police have run a significant public order operation to contain both supporters and a smaller counter-demo. | |
He arrived in the security cordon flanked by his closest advisers from his days running the English Defence League to loud cheers and chanting. | |
Some supporters were carrying far-right banners - including two banners from organisations which are considered to be highly Islamophobic. | |
Office workers in the swish buildings around the Old Bailey and a fair few court staff looked on from above. | |
One of the most unexpected episodes this morning came when they began singing "How they Rule Ya" to the tune of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. | |
After the case, his supporters were jubilant, hailing him as some kind of martyr for free speech. | |
What did the judge say? | |
Mr Yaxley-Lennon's counsel, Richard Furlong, said the case should be referred to the attorney general - currently Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox. | |
Judge Hilliard then confirmed the case would be referred up, saying the matter was so complex it needed further consideration. The move would also allow lawyers to cross-examine witnesses. | |
Judge Hilliard added: "All the evidence must be rigorously tested." | |
What happens next? | |
Now the case has been referred to the attorney general's office, who will decide whether to send the case to the High Court or to drop the contempt proceedings. | |
The attorney general's office confirmed there was no set timescale for this decision to be made. | |
Why was he in court? | Why was he in court? |
In May 2017, Mr Yaxley-Lennon filmed four men outside a court, who were later convicted of gang-raping a teenage girl. | In May 2017, Mr Yaxley-Lennon filmed four men outside a court, who were later convicted of gang-raping a teenage girl. |
The trial was subject to reporting restrictions, and a judge at Canterbury Crown Court gave him a three-month suspended sentence for contempt of court. | The trial was subject to reporting restrictions, and a judge at Canterbury Crown Court gave him a three-month suspended sentence for contempt of court. |
In May 2018, he was jailed for potentially prejudicing a court case after broadcasting on social media outside Leeds Crown Court. | In May 2018, he was jailed for potentially prejudicing a court case after broadcasting on social media outside Leeds Crown Court. |
He was sentenced to 13 months - 10 months for the contempt of court in Leeds and a further three months for breaching the previous suspended sentence. | He was sentenced to 13 months - 10 months for the contempt of court in Leeds and a further three months for breaching the previous suspended sentence. |
Mr Yaxley-Lennon appealed against both contempt findings. | Mr Yaxley-Lennon appealed against both contempt findings. |
Three judges quashed the Leeds ruling, saying the judge should not have commenced contempt proceedings that day. | Three judges quashed the Leeds ruling, saying the judge should not have commenced contempt proceedings that day. |
They ordered the case be reheard so that the allegations could be fully examined and, after a brief appearance at the Old Bailey in September, the case was adjourned until today. | They ordered the case be reheard so that the allegations could be fully examined and, after a brief appearance at the Old Bailey in September, the case was adjourned until today. |
Mr Yaxley-Lennon says the whole thing is a "political witch-hunt" designed to stop him telling the truth about what he calls "Muslim rape gangs". | |
He described the media as the "enemy of the people" and blamed the government, police and social services for "sacrificing a generation of our daughters at the hands of the multiculturalism altar". | |
What is contempt of court? | What is contempt of court? |
Contempt of court laws are designed to protect the rule of law, ensure fair trials - and avoid trial by media. | Contempt of court laws are designed to protect the rule of law, ensure fair trials - and avoid trial by media. |
Contempt can be committed by a broad range of people and organisations including the press, jurors, and social media users. | Contempt can be committed by a broad range of people and organisations including the press, jurors, and social media users. |
The maximum sentence for contempt of court is two years' imprisonment, but it can also be punished with a fine. | The maximum sentence for contempt of court is two years' imprisonment, but it can also be punished with a fine. |
Read more about the contempt law from BBC Legal Affairs Correspondent Clive Coleman. | Read more about the contempt law from BBC Legal Affairs Correspondent Clive Coleman. |