This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/23/tommy-robinson-retrial-supporters-gather-at-old-bailey

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tommy Robinson: judge refers case to attorney general Tommy Robinson: judge refers case to attorney general
(35 minutes later)
A judge retrying the anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson for contempt of court has referred the case to the attorney general.A judge retrying the anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson for contempt of court has referred the case to the attorney general.
Robinson, 35, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared before Nicholas Hilliard, the recorder of London, for a contempt hearing at the Old Bailey.Robinson, 35, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared before Nicholas Hilliard, the recorder of London, for a contempt hearing at the Old Bailey.
Hilliard said the decision to refer the case to the attorney general would allow Robinson’s contempt charges to be heard in a proper adversarial setting, in which a lawyer could present evidence and question witnesses to make the case.Hilliard said the decision to refer the case to the attorney general would allow Robinson’s contempt charges to be heard in a proper adversarial setting, in which a lawyer could present evidence and question witnesses to make the case.
He said he had made his decision after receiving a statement from Robinson on Monday. The court heard that in the current setting, lawyers would not be able to perform an appropriate cross-examination of the evidence. He said he had made the decision after receiving a statement from Robinson on Monday. The court heard that in the current setting lawyers would not be able to perform an appropriate cross-examination of the evidence.
“I think it necessary to look at quite a lot of the detail of what Mr Yaxley-Lennon said in the broadcast [featuring the alleged contempt] as to come to the overall picture as to what happened,” the judge said. “I think it necessary to look at quite a lot of the detail of what Mr Yaxley-Lennon said in the broadcast [featuring the alleged contempt] as to come to the overall picture as to what happened,” Hilliard said.
“I’m satisfied in the light of the issues as they now appear as they emerged from the statement of yesterday, that cross-examination of Mr Yaxley-Lennon is necessary for a proper and thorough examination and resolution of the case that is in the public interest.”“I’m satisfied in the light of the issues as they now appear as they emerged from the statement of yesterday, that cross-examination of Mr Yaxley-Lennon is necessary for a proper and thorough examination and resolution of the case that is in the public interest.”
Robinson was released on bail. He had been serving a 13-month sentence on the same charges, until the sentence was quashed by the court of appeal and a retrial ordered.Robinson was released on bail. He had been serving a 13-month sentence on the same charges, until the sentence was quashed by the court of appeal and a retrial ordered.
Robinson could have been sent back to jail if he had been found in contempt for filming people in a criminal trial in Leeds and broadcasting the footage on social media. The former leader of the English Defence League could have been sent back to jail if he had been found in contempt for filming people in a criminal trial in Leeds and broadcasting the footage on social media.
The latest hearing came after Robinson appeared at the Old Bailey in September, when the case was adjourned. Among Robinson’s supporters in court was Ezra Levant, founder of the Canadian rightwing news site The Rebel Media. He brought with him several “honest journalists”, crowdfunded by supporters, to provide alternative coverage of the hearing after claims that traditional media are biased. The latest hearing came after Robinson appeared at the Old Bailey in September, when the case was adjourned. Among Robinson’s supporters in court was Ezra Levant, the founder of the Canadian rightwing Rebel Media news website. He brought with him several “honest journalists”, crowdfunded by supporters, to provide alternative coverage of the hearing after claims that traditional media were biased.
Earlier, around a thousand supporters had gathered outside the Old Bailey on Tuesday. As journalists walked past to enter through the main entrance of England’s main criminal court, Robinson branded them “enemies of the people”, to roars and cheers from the crowd. Speaking to supporters outside the Old Bailey, Robinson said the campaign to free him from prison had been funded by the Middle East Forum, an American anti-Islam thinktank. “The intention of this imprisonment was to prevent the public having knowledge,” he said. “I want to spend the next six months travelling to towns that have been blighted by these problems. By next summer the entire world is going to learn the true extent of the rape of Britain.”
Metropolitan police and their colleagues from the City of London manned barricades outside the court. England and union flags, as well those for Ukip, were flying as protesters gathered early on Tuesday morning. Earlier, around a thousand supporters had gathered outside the Old Bailey. As journalists walked past to enter through the main entrance of England’s main criminal court, Robinson branded them “enemies of the people”, to roars and cheers from the crowd.
“We want Tommy out,” they shouted, as supporters filmed him on their phones. They patted the suited EDL founder on the back. Metropolitan police and their colleagues from the City of London stood at barricades outside the court. England and union flags, as well as those for Ukip, were flying as protesters gathered early on Tuesday morning.
“We want Tommy out,” they shouted, as they filmed him on their phones and patted him on the back.
A small group of anti-fascist campaigners faced Robinson’s supporters.A small group of anti-fascist campaigners faced Robinson’s supporters.
After last month’s adjournment, a video appearing to show Robinson at a window within the court building was posted on Levant’s Twitter account. After last month’s adjournment, a video was posted on Levant’s Twitter account appearing to show Robinson at a window inside the court building. In the footage, Robinson says “that’s such a good feeling” before promising to go and greet the chanting supporters outside.
In the footage, Robinson says “that’s such a good feeling” before promising to go and greet the hundreds of supporters cheering and chanting outside.
The video is believed to have been made in the canteen on the Old Bailey’s second floor. By the afternoon, it had been viewed more than 160,000 times.
Section 41 of the Criminal Justice act 1925 makes it an offence to photograph people within court precincts.Section 41 of the Criminal Justice act 1925 makes it an offence to photograph people within court precincts.
City of London police confirmed they were looking into whether any offences were committed at Robinson’s September court appearance. City of London police have said they are looking into whether any offences were committed at Robinson’s September court appearance.
UK newsUK news
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content