Supporters of Tommy Robinson have been urged to stop spreading misinformation about the reasons behind his imprisonment. The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed after he admitted contempt of court for making false claims about a young Syrian refugee boy.
Contrary to claims by his supporters, Robinson was not imprisoned for exposing rape gangs, but for defying legal restrictions and spreading inaccurate and defamatory statements.
False Claims About Syrian Refugee Boy
The case relates to Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian teenager who was assaulted and bullied at his school in Huddersfield in 2018. Robinson falsely accused Jamal of attacking white schoolgirls, an allegation that was completely disproven in court.
In 2021, Jamal successfully sued Robinson for libel, winning £100,000 in damages after a judge ruled that Robinson’s comments incited harassment and abuse. Despite the ruling, Robinson continued repeating the falsehoods, leading to the contempt of court proceedings.
Contempt of Court Admission
Robinson pleaded guilty to contempt of court after ignoring a court order that prohibited him from repeating the defamatory claims. His actions violated the terms of his previous legal cases and ultimately led to his sentencing.
Legal experts have confirmed that his jailing is unrelated to his past activism on child grooming gangs, which remains a serious issue requiring an urgent public inquiry.
Calls for a Public Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
While campaigners, MPs, and law enforcement officials continue to demand an independent inquiry into child grooming gangs across the UK, Robinson’s supporters have misrepresented his legal troubles as an attack on free speech.
Critics argue that spreading falsehoods about high-profile legal cases only undermines genuine efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and support victims.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation and bringing those responsible to justice, separate from Robinson’s misleading and unlawful actions.
Legal Consequences for Defying Court Orders
The court’s ruling sends a clear message that defying court orders and spreading false claims will not be tolerated. Judges highlighted that contempt of court undermines the justice system and can have serious real-world consequences, including harassment and threats against innocent individuals.
Robinson’s supporters have been urged to recognise the facts surrounding his imprisonment and focus their efforts on constructive action, rather than spreading misinformation.
