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Tommy Robinson quits EDL saying it has become 'too extreme' Tommy Robinson quits EDL saying it has become 'too extreme'
(35 minutes later)
The leader of the English Defence League, Tommy Robinson, is leaving the organisation because it has become too extreme, it has been announced. The leader of the English Defence League, Tommy Robinson, has announced that he is leaving the organisation because it has become too extreme, .
Robinson, a convicted criminal who leads anti-Islam protests that have often turned violent and have been marked by racist chanting, is quoted by the counter-extremism thinktank Quilliam Foundation as saying that the Islamist ideology should be challenged "not with violence, but with better, democratic ideas". Robinson, who leads anti-Islam protests that have often turned violent and have been marked by racist chanting, said that Islamist ideology should be challenged "not with violence, but with better, democratic ideas".
Robinson, who set up the EDL in 2009, ostensibly to combat extreme Islamism in the UK, is currently facing charges for allegedly trying to organise a march to the site of British army soldier Lee Rigby's death, in defiance of a ban against going to the scene. His co-founder, Kevin Carroll, who is also being tried on the same charges, is also leaving the organisation, according to Quilliam. Robinson, who set up the EDL in 2009, ostensibly to combat extreme Islamism in the UK, is currently facing a number of criminal charges in relation to his activities with the group.
Robinson, 30, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is quoted as saying: "I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive. I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas." The 30-year-old from Luton, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said: "I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive. I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas."
Quilliam said that it had facilitated the departure of Robinson and Carroll's from the EDL and called on the pair's former colleagues to follow in their footsteps. His decision was announced in a press released by the counter-extremism think tank, the Quilliam Foundation, which said that it had "facilitated" Robinson's departure and that of EDL co-founder Kevin Carroll, also from Luton, who it said had also left the far-right group.
Quilliam chair and co-founder Maajid Nawaz said: "We have been able to show that Britain stands together against extremism regardless of political views and hope to continue supporting Tommy and Kevin in their journey to counter Islamism and neo-Nazi extremism." The intentions of the pair are likely to come under intense scrutiny given their past activities. Robinson and Carroll are due to stand trial on 16 October for allegedly attempting to defy a ban on marching to the scene of soldier Lee Rigby's killing, in June.
Their departure is likely to be treated with scepticism among many who have fought to combat the EDL's message. Quilliam chair and co-founder Maajid Nawaz said: "We have been able to show that Britain stands together against extremism regardless of political views and hope to continue supporting Tommy and Kevin in their journey to counter Islamism and neo-Nazi extremism.".
Robinson and Carroll are due to stand trial at Westminster magistrates court on 16 October.
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