Tommy Robinson jailed for 18 months after admitting contempt of court over Syrian schoolboy allegations

The anti-Islam activist admitted 10 counts of breaching the order, which included appearances on various podcasts, YouTube streams, and a film screening at Trafalgar Square.

Robinson was sued after he published two Facebook videos after footage of Syrian schoolboy Jamal Hijazi being attacked went viral.

With a million Facebook followers, he told his audience that Hijazi had been attacking “young English girls,” but the High Court found there was no evidence for his claims.

Robinson represented himself in those proceedings where Mr Justice Nicklin said he had used language “calculated to inflame the situation.”

Hijazi was awarded £100,000 in damages, but Robinson said he was bankrupt.

At this morning’s hearing, Robinson appeared in the dock in a three-piece suit and smiled at supporters in the public gallery, including Ezra Levant, publisher of the Rebel News media company.

Mr Justice Johnson, presiding over this case, told the court that an agreement had been reached and that admission had been made, but it was not clear to him what the agreement is or what the admission is.

The court heard that there were two contempt applications from June and August.

The first charge related to allegations falling within the order from July 2021.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Two counter-protesters arrested as thousands gather for Tommy Robinson-inspired demonstration
• Tommy Robinson 'leaves UK' after skipping High Court hearing
• 'We want our country back!' Thousands attend Tommy Robinson-led rally with over 1,000 police on streets to separate Jeremy Corbyn-backed counter-protesters

Aidan Eardley KC, for the Solicitor General, listed an online interview with Gareth Pike on Rumble, a film entitled “Silenced”, an online interview with Gavin McGuinsess on Censored TV, an interview with Emerald Robinson on the Absolute Truth podcast.

Mr Lennon was asked by the judge if those circumstances were correct. Robinson nodded and then turned to look at the public gallery.

In the second charge, Mr Eardley KC listed an event in Denmark livestreamed in June, a video of which was subsequently made available, an interview with Canadian commentator Jordan Peterson on Youtube in the same month, which remains available.

He also listed the “Silenced” documentary, which was played at a rally in Trafalgar Square in July, which a version of the film posted on X, which remains available.

The barrister also referred to another publication of the film and a further podcast.

Robinson was asked again if that set of allegations was correct and he nodded and confirmed with his counsel.

The court heard about Robinson’s prior issues with contempt of court, including an incident outside a court in 2017 where he breached reporting restrictions. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Mr Justice Johnson confirmed that he had watched the “Silenced” film, which is on Robinson’s X feed and has some 55 million views.

The judge said he had made a direct, flagrant breach of the court’s order, in disregard of the claimant’s rights.

Mr Justice Johnson added that court injunctions must be obeyed.

"A party is entitled to appeal, to disagree, to criticise, but they are not entitled to disobey a court injunction, nobody is above the law, nobody can pick and choose which laws and injunctions they obey."

"He acts as if he believes he is above the law. He is well known and so are his views. They provoke considerable hostility.

"Reasonable steps must be taken to keep the defendant safe. It may impact on the conditions he is kept in. In this respect, incarceration may be more onerous on him than other prisoners."