Tommy Robinson leaves UK ahead of trial with arrest warrant issued

A senior judge has issued an arrest warrant for far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – better known by his alias Tommy Robinson – after learning he had fled the country ahead of a major court case against him.

Yaxley-Lennon left the UK on a Eurotunnel train on Sunday evening despite being arrested by Kent Police under counter-terrorism powers.

The 41-year-old was due in court on Monday for allegedly breaching an order banning him from repeating lies about a Syrian refugee.

Judge Johnson ordered that the warrant not be executed “until early October” to give Yaxley-Lennon time to confirm that he would voluntarily attend the next hearing.

His departure from the UK comes after thousands of his supporters gathered in central London on Saturday to show their support.

In July 2021, Syrian teenager Jamal Hijazi won £100,000 in damages in a major libel battle against Yaxley-Lennon, who had falsely accused him of being a violent thug, allegations that spread on social media.

A judge ordered him never to repeat the lies again, but last year he began repeating his claims, including in a film released online.

Six weeks ago, Yaxley-Lennon was ordered to appear in the High Court on Monday to answer the allegation that he ignored the judge’s order – a serious offence known as contempt of court.

Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, the government minister overseeing the contempt of court allegations, told Justice Johnson today that although Yaxley-Lennon was aware of this morning’s case, he had shown the film to his supporters again on Saturday.

The lawyer said the public presentation was a “flagrant” and “admitted” violation of the court order prohibiting the repetition of the false statements.

On Sunday, the founder of the English Defence League visited the Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone, where police arrested him under counter-terrorism powers.

When he allegedly refused to cooperate, he was arrested and held until 10 p.m. before being released on unconditional bail and allowed to flee the country.

Mr Payter said: “We understand he was uncooperative during a stop and search at the port.

“The implication is that he was trying to leave the country and therefore had no intention of attending this hearing this morning.

“According to the information we have, he is not within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. He has spent a significant amount of time outside the United Kingdom since he was served with his contempt of court application on 13 June.

“He returned with the intention of releasing the film and sought to leave the jurisdiction immediately.”

The court heard that the officers who detained Yaxley-Lennon did not have the power to stop him leaving the UK.

Mr Justice Johnson said he was “entirely satisfied” that the contempt application should continue in Yaxley-Lennon’s absence.

The judge issued a warrant to detain the activist if he returns to the UK by October but continues to refuse to cooperate.

The decision to delay the execution of the warrant was intended to give him the opportunity to return and explain why he did not attend this morning’s hearing. or to ask that it be set aside.

If Yaxley-Lennon does not return, the case will be heard in his absence after October 28 – and could result in a prison sentence.

2005:Jailed for assault causing actual bodily harm (12 months)

2011:Community order for football fight (12 months)

2013:Traveling to the United States with another man’s passport (10 months in prison)

2014: Mortgage fraud (18 months in prison)

May 2017:Contempt of court found, three months in prison, suspended for 18 months

July 2019:Jailed for nine months for interfering in the trial of a Leeds paedophile gang.

July 2021:Loses libel case and ordered to pay £100,000 to Syrian refugee

July 2024:Failed to appear at contempt hearing for allegedly repeating false statements about refugee

Other offences:Drug possession, threatening behavior and violation of a court order