The violence initially erupted as a response to Monday’s stabbing attack in Southport, where a 17-year-old male suspect has been arrested. Misinformation spread online falsely claimed the attacker was a Muslim immigrant, further fueling anger among far-right supporters. Judge Andrew Menary intervened by ordering that the suspect, Axel Rudakubana—born in Wales to Rwandan parents—be identified to stop the spread of false rumours. Rudakubana now faces charges including three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.
The far-right groups involved in these protests have been organizing and mobilizing supporters online, using slogans like “enough is enough,” “save our kids,” and “stop the boats.” These groups are exploiting concerns about immigration, particularly regarding the thousands of migrants arriving in small boats from France across the English Channel.
One of the key figures amplifying these calls to action is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson. A longtime far-right agitator and former leader of the English Defence League (EDL), Robinson has a history of legal troubles, including convictions for assault, contempt of court, and mortgage fraud. He continues to influence far-right activism through social media, despite being banned from Twitter in 2018. His account was reinstated after Elon Musk acquired the platform, now rebranded as X, where Robinson has amassed over 848,0042 followers.
Who is Tommy Robinson? How is he connected to recent riots in UK?
Tommy Robinson, born Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon in 1982, has long been a polarizing figure in the UK, particularly within far-right circles. His rise to prominence and subsequent controversies have been marked by his outspoken anti-Islam views, legal battles, and an enduring influence on nationalist and far-right movements in Britain.
Early Days
Robinson’s activism began in Luton, a town with a significant Muslim population, where he co-founded the English Defence League (EDL) in 2009. The EDL quickly became notorious for its anti-Islamic rhetoric and aggressive protests, which often led to violent clashes with counter-protesters and law enforcement. Robinson’s leadership of the EDL brought him national attention and substantial criticism, as the group was widely accused of inciting hatred and fostering a climate of fear and division.
Online Presence
In March 2018, Robinson was permanently banned from X, then known as Twitter, but was reinstated in November last year after Elon Musk acquired the platform. Jake Tapper writes in The Guardian: “The resurgence of far-right violence in the UK is in part due to Elon Musk’s decision to allow figures such as Tommy Robinson back on to the social media platform X, researchers say. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and those of his ilk are not leaders in the traditional sense and the far right has no central organisation capable of directing the disorder and violence that has been seen, experts say.”
Jacob Davey, Director of Policy and Research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), in the same article states, “People have been naming the EDL [English Defence League] as key figures, but the EDL has actually ceased to function as a movement.”
According to Davey, the UK, like other parts of the world, is now facing “a much more decentralized extreme-right movement.” Davey noted that “there have been known figureheads at protests, including some avowed neo-Nazis,” but emphasized that “there’s also this loose network that includes concerned local citizens and football hooligans.” The expert further explained that “all of these individuals are connected by loose online networks, activated by deeply cynical influences – many from outside the country – and galvanized by viral online disinformation from unknown and untrustworthy sources.”
Legal Tangles
Robinson’s legal issues began early in his career. In 2011, he was convicted of assault for headbutting a member of the EDL at one of their own rallies. The following year, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison for using a friend’s passport to enter the United States, a move intended to bypass travel restrictions due to his criminal record. These early legal troubles set the stage for Robinson’s long history of confrontations with the law.
One of the most significant legal battles of his career occurred in 2018 when Robinson was jailed for contempt of court. He had live-streamed outside a courthouse during the trial of a grooming gang, violating a court order designed to protect the integrity of the proceedings. His imprisonment sparked international protests from his supporters, who claimed he was a martyr for free speech, while his critics accused him of undermining the judicial system and inciting vigilantism. Although his sentence was later overturned on appeal, this case underscored the deep divisions in public opinion about Robinson and his activism.
Recent Riots
In recent years, Robinson has continued to make headlines, most notably for his involvement in organizing large-scale protests in London. On July 27, 2024, Robinson led a major rally characterized by nationalist rhetoric, which raised concerns about potential violence and public disorder. These protests were seen as a resurgence of far-right activism in the UK, reflecting broader societal tensions over issues like immigration, national identity, and freedom of speech.
Robinson’s re-emergence in 2024 has been marked by controversy. He fled the UK after allegedly committing contempt of court by screening a film at a protest that repeated false claims he had made about a Syrian refugee. Despite being ordered to appear in court, Robinson left the country, apparently to evade legal consequences. From an undisclosed location, he has continued to issue statements and videos on social media, urging his supporters to persist in their protests and claiming that they are on the “verge of something massive.”
Escape Abroad
Robinson’s rhetoric has contributed to recent unrest in the UK. Protests organized under the banner “Enough is Enough” quickly turned violent, leading to numerous arrests and injuries. Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson suggested that the violence in Sunderland was linked to remnants of the EDL, with evidence pointing to a Nazi offshoot of the group being involved in attacks on a police station and a mosque.
Robinson’s public image is deeply divisive. To his supporters, he is a defender of free speech and British values, willing to confront what they see as the dangerous spread of Islam in the UK. To his critics, Robinson is a provocateur who incites hatred and violence, undermining the rule of law. His criminal record and repeated legal battles have only added to his notoriety.
With inputs from agencies
