Major Controversies Surrounding Tommy Robinson: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Tommy Robinson.

Tommy Robinson (born Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon) is a British far-right activist known for his Islamophobic views. He co-founded and led the English Defence League (EDL) from 2009 to 2013, a group widely considered far-right. He is described as one of the UK's most prominent far-right figures. His activism has been met with controversy and legal issues.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1981: Breach of Contempt of Court Act

In May 2018, Tommy Robinson breached a temporary section 4 (2) order under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

July 2004: Assault Incident with Police Constable

In July 2004, Tommy Robinson was involved in an altercation with an off-duty police constable who intervened in an argument between Robinson and his girlfriend. During the struggle, Robinson kicked the officer in the head, leading to subsequent charges and conviction in April 2005.

April 2005: Convicted of Assault

In April 2005, at Luton Crown Court, Tommy Robinson was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault with intent to resist arrest against an off-duty police constable for an incident in July 2004.

July 2005: Mentioned 7/7 London Bombings

In October 2013, when questioned about having blamed "every single Muslim" for "getting away" with the 7 July 2005 London bombings, Tommy Robinson apologized.

August 2010: Involvement in Luton Brawl

In August 2010, Tommy Robinson led a group of Luton Town F.C. supporters into a brawl involving 100 people in Luton, which led to his conviction in July 2011 for using threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour.

April 2011: Assault Incident in Blackburn

On April 2, 2011, Tommy Robinson headbutted a man in Blackburn, which led to his conviction for assault in September 2011.

July 2011: Convicted of Threatening Behaviour

In July 2011, at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates' Court, Tommy Robinson was convicted of using threatening, abusive, or insulting behavior for leading a group of Luton Town F.C. supporters into a brawl in August 2010.

September 2011: Arrested at EDL Demonstration

In September 2011, Tommy Robinson was arrested after an EDL demonstration in Tower Hamlets for breaching bail conditions. He started a hunger strike in prison, claiming to be a "political prisoner".

September 2011: Convicted of Assault for Headbutting

In September 2011, at Preston Magistrates' Court, Tommy Robinson was convicted of assault for headbutting a man in Blackburn on April 2, 2011.

September 2011: Convicted of Common Assault

On 29 September 2011, Tommy Robinson was convicted of common assault for headbutting a fellow EDL member at a rally in Blackburn in April of that year. He received a 12-week imprisonment sentence, suspended for 12 months.

November 2011: Sentenced for Assault

In November 2011, Tommy Robinson was given a 12-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, for assault.

November 2011: Protest at FIFA Headquarters

On 8 November 2011, Tommy Robinson protested on the rooftop of FIFA headquarters in Zürich against FIFA's ruling that the England national football team could not wear a Remembrance poppy symbol on their shirts. He was fined £3,000 and jailed for three days.

2011: Convicted of threatening behavior

In 2011, Tommy Robinson was convicted of using "threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour" during a fight between Luton Town and Newport County supporters. He received a 12-month community rehabilitation order, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a three-year ban from attending football matches.

September 2012: Used False Passport to Enter US

In September 2012, Tommy Robinson used a passport in the name of Andrew McMaster to board a Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow to New York City, despite being banned from entering the US due to his criminal record. Upon arrival, he was discovered, and he subsequently left the airport, entering the US illegally.

October 2012: Arrested for Illegal Entry into the US

In October 2012, Tommy Robinson was arrested for having entered the United States illegally.

November 2012: Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Fraud

In November 2012, Tommy Robinson was charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by misrepresentation in relation to a mortgage application, along with five other defendants.

January 2013: Sentenced for Passport Offense

In January 2013, Tommy Robinson was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court for using a passport that did not belong to him to enter the United States illegally.

January 2014: Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud

In January 2014, Tommy Robinson was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to fraud charges related to a mortgage application. The fraud amounted to £160,000 over a period of 6 months.

October 2014: Recalled to Prison

In October 2014, Tommy Robinson was recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence. He was due to talk to the Oxford Union, but was imprisoned before the event.

November 2014: Spoke at the Oxford Union

In November 2014, Tommy Robinson spoke at the Oxford Union, facing protests from Unite Against Fascism (UAF). He criticized politicians, the media, and police for not addressing certain criminal activities due to fear of being labeled Islamophobic and said HM Prison Woodhill had become "an ISIS training camp".

August 2016: Ejected from Pub in Cambridge

On 27 August 2016, Tommy Robinson and his family were ejected by police from a pub in Cambridge during a Cambridge United versus Luton football match.

2016: Football banning order imposed and then dismissed

In 2016, after Robinson travelled to France to watch UEFA Euro 2016 and demonstrated with a T-shirt and English flag ridiculing ISIL, Bedfordshire Police imposed a football banning order on him, but a judge dismissed the case in September, calling the prosecution's evidence "vague" and "cagey".

May 2017: Arrested for Contempt of Court

In May 2017, Tommy Robinson was arrested for contempt of court after attempting to film defendants in an ongoing rape trial outside Canterbury Crown Court.

May 2017: Robinson charged and convicted of contempt of court

In May 2017, Tommy Robinson was charged with contempt of court, and convicted after filming inside Canterbury Crown Court and posting prejudicial statements calling the defendants "Muslim child rapists" while the jury was deliberating.

June 2017: Involved in Fist Fight at Royal Ascot

In June 2017, Tommy Robinson was involved in a fist fight at Royal Ascot, which led to criticism from Piers Morgan on Twitter.

March 2018: Attended court in support of Mark Meechan

In March 2018, Tommy Robinson attended court in support of Mark Meechan, a Scottish YouTuber charged with a hate crime for posting a video of a dog performing Nazi salutes to antisemitic phrases. Meechan was found guilty.

March 2018: Permanent ban from Twitter

In March 2018, Tommy Robinson was permanently banned from Twitter for violating its rules on "hateful conduct".

May 2018: Arrested and jailed for imperilling justice

In May 2018, Tommy Robinson was jailed and later released for imperilling the course of justice in the Huddersfield sex abuse ring trial. On 25 May 2018, he was arrested for breach of the peace while live streaming outside Leeds Crown Court during the trial of the Huddersfield grooming gang on which reporting restrictions had been ordered. Judge Geoffrey Marson QC issued a further reporting restriction on Robinson's case, prohibiting any reporting until the grooming trial was complete.

May 2018: Reporting restrictions lifted, Robinson admits contempt

On 29 May 2018, the reporting restriction with regard to Tommy Robinson was lifted, following a challenge by journalists. The media reported that Robinson had admitted contempt of court by publishing information that could prejudice an ongoing trial, and had been jailed for 13 months. Judge Marson sentenced Robinson to ten months for contempt of court and activated his previous three months' suspended sentence. Robinson's lawyer said that Robinson felt "deep regret" after comprehending the potential consequences of his behaviour.

July 2018: US Ambassador lobbies UK government

In July 2018, Reuters reported that the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, lobbied the UK government on the treatment of Tommy Robinson.

July 2018: Appeal heard by the Court of Appeal

On 18 July 2018, Tommy Robinson's appeal came before the Lord Chief Justice and two others at the Court of Appeal. Robinson argued that he had not admitted the charges at Leeds nor had he been given a chance to apologise. His lawyer said that his initial contempt hearing was flawed and that his sentence was unfair.

August 2018: Contempt conviction quashed by Court of Appeal

In August 2018, a contempt conviction against Tommy Robinson had been quashed by the Court of Appeal "over procedural failings".

August 2018: Court of Appeal issues ruling

On 1 August 2018, the Court of Appeal issued its ruling on Tommy Robinson's appeal. The appeal against the Canterbury proceedings failed and that against the Leeds proceedings succeeded.

August 2018: Interview on Tucker Carlson Tonight

On 2 August 2018, Tommy Robinson was interviewed on Tucker Carlson Tonight, where he mainly discussed his two months in prison. He claimed mistreatment at HM Prison Onley, including 'solitary confinement'.

October 2018: Invitation to speak in US

In October 2018, Republican Party politician Paul Gosar and six other members of the US Congress invited Tommy Robinson to speak at a private meeting on 14 November 2018.

October 2018: Posted photo with British Army "recruits"

In October 2018, Tommy Robinson posted a photo with British Army "recruits," claiming they cheered him and shouted his name, which led to an investigation by the British Army due to the incompatibility of far-right ideology with the armed forces' values.

October 2018: False accusation against refugee boy

In October 2018, after a Syrian refugee boy was assaulted in a school bullying incident, Tommy Robinson falsely accused the victim of having previously attacked two schoolgirls.

October 2018: Case referred to attorney general

In October 2018, the Recorder of London referred Tommy Robinson's case to the attorney general for further investigation.

November 2018: PayPal stops processing payments for Robinson

In November 2018 PayPal told Tommy Robinson that it would no longer process payments on his behalf. The service said it cannot "be used to promote hate, violence, or other forms of intolerance that is [sic] discriminatory".

November 2018: Appointed as "grooming gang advisor" to UKIP

In November 2018, Tommy Robinson was appointed as a "grooming gang advisor" to UKIP under Gerard Batten.

November 2018: Visa denied for US trip

In November 2018, Tommy Robinson was not granted a visa for a trip to the US, where he was invited to speak at a private meeting.

November 2018: Appointed as Advisor to UKIP Leader

On 23 November 2018, UKIP leader Gerard Batten appointed Tommy Robinson as his advisor. This led to criticism from former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who described Robinson as a "thug."

2018: Suspended prison sentence activated

In 2018, Tommy Robinson's suspended prison sentence was activated due to a technical error. He was again found to be in contempt of court at Leeds and wrongly given a sentence of imprisonment, which activated the Canterbury suspended sentence. Both sentences were for contempt of court, related to speeches or publications creating a "substantial risk that the course of justice in the proceedings in question will be seriously impeded or prejudiced". He was later released following a successful challenge to the court's sentencing procedure, and a rehearing was ordered.

2018: US ambassador raised imprisonment issue

In 2018, US President Trump's ambassador for international religious freedom, former Senator Sam Brownback, raised the issue of Tommy Robinson's imprisonment with the British government.

January 2019: YouTube removes adverts from account

In January 2019 YouTube announced that it had removed adverts from Tommy Robinson's account, saying that he had breached the site's guidelines.

January 2019: Caused a lockdown at a library in Glasgow

In January 2019, Tommy Robinson livestreamed himself leading a group that surrounded a library where Stewart McDonald MP was holding a surgery, causing a lockdown. The library was bombarded with phone calls, and McDonald was escorted away by police.

January 2019: Refugee boy describes living in fear

In January 2019, the refugee boy said returning to Almondbury Community School was still too dangerous. He described living in fear after Tommy Robinson's postings because "there are people who hang around outside my house and video me on their phones. They call me 'little rat' if I go outside. One of my neighbours threatened me outside my house just yesterday."

February 2019: Banned from Facebook and Instagram

In February 2019, Facebook and Instagram banned Tommy Robinson from their platforms, citing violations of their hate-speech rules, including "calls for violence targeted at Muslims".

February 2019: Posted racist comment on Facebook about rape victims

In February 2019, Tommy Robinson wrote a racist comment on his Facebook account about rape crisis services for ethnic minority victims, leading to hundreds of abusive phone calls to the center from his supporters. This disrupted the center's services for victims of all ethnicities.

February 2019: Held rally outside BBC offices

On 23 February 2019, Tommy Robinson held a rally in MediaCityUK outside the BBC offices in Salford to protest against the Panorama program and presenter John Sweeney. He launched his film Panodrama and called for the BBC licence fee to be scrapped.

February 2019: Facebook bans Robinson

On 26 February 2019, Facebook announced that it had banned Tommy Robinson from the service for violating its community standards and "posting material that uses dehumanizing language and calls for violence targeted at Muslims". It also cited violations of policies concerning "organized hate".

March 2019: Court Rejects Harassment Claims

In March 2019, Peterborough County Court rejected Tommy Robinson's claims of harassment against Cambridgeshire Constabulary related to a 2016 incident, and he was ordered to pay £20,000 towards costs. He stated he would appeal the ruling.

March 2019: Attorney general decides to bring further proceedings

In March 2019, the attorney general decided that it was in the public interest to bring further proceedings against Tommy Robinson due to procedural failings in August 2018 and referred to the attorney general in October 2018. The first hearing was due to take place on 22 March 2019.

March 2019: Attempted to intimidate journalist

On 4 March 2019, Tommy Robinson arrived uninvited at the home of a journalist who covers far-right issues and attempted to intimidate him by revealing the journalist's address on a livestream and threatening to reveal other journalists' addresses. He left after police arrived.

April 2019: Snapchat terminates account

In April 2019, Snapchat terminated Tommy Robinson's account for violating their community guidelines, which prohibit hate speech and harassment.

April 2019: YouTube restricts account

In April 2019, YouTube restricted Tommy Robinson's account due to its "borderline content".

May 2019: Robinson sued for defamation

On 15 May 2019, the lawyer for the Syrian refugee boy said that his client was suing Tommy Robinson for "defamatory comments" Robinson had made.

July 2019: Robinson jailed for nine months

On 11 July 2019, Tommy Robinson was jailed for nine months at the Old Bailey. Outside the court, some of his supporters booed and a crowd marched toward the building chanting "we want Tommy out"; some began pelting police with bottles and cans.

July 2019: Found guilty of contempt of court at retrial

On 5 July 2019, Tommy Robinson was again found guilty of contempt of court at the retrial on three different grounds, including breaching the reporting restriction related to his video livestreaming from the Huddersfield trial.

September 2019: Robinson released from prison

On 13 September 2019, Tommy Robinson was released from prison after serving nine weeks. Several days later, he said that he had spoken to Julian Assange in prison, and announced that he supported him.

2019: Endorsed Boris Johnson and Claimed to Join Conservative Party

Prior to the 2019 United Kingdom general election, Tommy Robinson endorsed Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson as prime minister. Following the election, he announced he had joined the Conservative Party, but this was denied by a Conservative MP and the party nationally.

January 2020: Received Sappho Award

In January 2020, Tommy Robinson received the Sappho Award (International Free Press award) from the Danish Free Press Society in Copenhagen, an organization linked to the counter-jihad movement.

April 2020: Banned from TikTok

In April 2020, Tommy Robinson was banned from TikTok for sharing content that "promote[s] hateful ideology".

November 2020: Arrested for breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules

On 1 November 2020, Tommy Robinson was arrested at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, London, for breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules.

2020: Visited Barrow-in-Furness

In 2020, Tommy Robinson visited Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, to support Eleanor Williams, who was later convicted of lying about being raped by a grooming gang, despite her family asking him to stay away.

January 2021: Incident with Journalist Lizzie Dearden

Sometime after 10 pm on 17 January 2021, Tommy Robinson went to the home of journalist Lizzie Dearden after she had asked for his comment for a story she was writing about allegations that he had misused financial donations from his supporters. He falsely accused her partner of being a paedophile and threatened to return every night.

March 2021: Issued Interim Stalking Ban Order

In March 2021, on 19 March, Tommy Robinson was issued with an interim stalking ban order after publishing photographs of journalist Lizzie Dearden's partner and making false allegations about him.

July 2021: Robinson found to have libelled the boy

On 22 July 2021, Tommy Robinson was found to have libelled the Syrian refugee boy and was ordered to pay £100,000 plus legal costs.

October 2021: Convicted of Stalking

On 13 October 2021, Tommy Robinson was convicted at Westminster Magistrates' Court of stalking journalist Lizzie Dearden and her partner, and was given a five-year ban from contacting them or referring to them.

January 2022: Insolvency expert appointed

In January 2022 an independent insolvency expert was appointed by Tommy Robinson's creditors to find any assets or money that Robinson could be hiding. Robinson owed an estimated £1.5 million in legal costs.

January 2022: Held a protest and screened his documentary The Rape of Britain: Survivor Stories

In January 2022, Tommy Robinson held a protest in response to the Telford child sexual exploitation scandal where he screened his 73-minute documentary style video about Muslim grooming gangs, titled The Rape of Britain: Survivor Stories.

August 2022: Robinson fined for failing to appear at High Court

On August 1, 2022 Tommy Robinson was fined £900 for failing to appear at the High Court to answer questions over his finances; he was also ordered to pay £20,000 in costs.

April 2023: Launch of 'Silenced' in Copenhagen

In April 2023, the MICE Media version of Tommy Robinson's film 'Silenced' was launched in Copenhagen at an event hosted by the Danish People's Party and the Danish Free Press Society. He was welcomed by DPP leader Morten Messerschmidt.

October 2023: Lost Appeal Against Stalking Ban Order

On 19 October 2023 Tommy Robinson lost his appeal against the stalking ban order, having admitted that the allegations he made about journalist Lizzie Dearden's partner were false.

July 2024: Accusation of Spreading Misinformation

In July 2024, after leaving the UK for Cyprus, Tommy Robinson was accused of spreading misinformation about the perpetrator of a mass stabbing of children in Southport. He falsely claimed the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker, which led to violent far-right riots across the UK.

July 2024: Police request mobile phone PIN

In July 2024, police in Folkestone requested Tommy Robinson's mobile phone login PIN, which he refused to provide.

July 2024: Arrest at Channel Tunnel and Alleged Screening of 'Silenced'

On July 28, 2024, Tommy Robinson was arrested by Kent Police at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone under the Terrorism Act 2000. He was released on bail. He allegedly screened his film Silenced, despite a High Court order, at the Unite the Kingdom protest at Trafalgar Square.

August 2024: Report on Robinson's debts and secretive companies

In August 2024, The Times reported Tommy Robinson owed in the region of £2 million to his creditors, and said he and associates had created "a web of secretive companies" which made profits of over £1.6 million without paying tax.

August 2024: Harassment Allegations

In August 2024, Tommy Robinson was accused of harassment causing fear of violence against two Daily Mail journalists, leading to charges in May 2025.

August 2024: Investigation for Inciting Riots

In August 2024, prosecutors in the UK began investigating Tommy Robinson for his alleged role in inciting riots that occurred after he spread misinformation about the Southport mass stabbing perpetrator.

August 2024: Irish Passport Investigation

In August 2024, three Irish Teachtaí Dála asked the Irish government to investigate the validity of Tommy Robinson's Irish passport, after it emerged he had given his place of birth as "Ireland".

August 2024: False statement on X regarding Richard Everitt murder

On August 13, 2024, Tommy Robinson falsely stated on X that three defendants charged with the Richard Everitt murder had been 'convicted' of the killing. He then made another post, copying the original screen.

October 2024: Robinson admits contempt of court and is sentenced to prison

In October 2024, Tommy Robinson handed himself in to Folkestone police station. On October 28, 2024, at Woolwich Crown Court, Robinson admitted contempt of court and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and issued with a costs order for £80,350.82.

November 2024: Robinson charged with terror-related offence

In November 2024, Tommy Robinson was charged with a terror-related offence after he refused to provide his mobile phone login PIN when requested by police in July 2024.

November 2024: Relocation to HM Prison Woodhill

In November 2024, Tommy Robinson was relocated within HM Prison Belmarsh and then entered a closed wing at HM Prison Woodhill to protect him from attacks by other prisoners after receiving abusive and racist emails and threats directed at the governor.

January 2025: Judge orders Robinson to pay £50,000

In January 2025, the judge ordered Tommy Robinson to pay £50,000 by 4pm on January 7.

January 2025: Elon Musk's support for Tommy Robinson and prison podcast

On January 1, 2025, Elon Musk retweeted Tommy Robinson's film, calling it "Worth watching". On January 2, Musk tweeted "Free Tommy Robinson!". On January 7, Robinson released a podcast praising Musk. HM Prison Service began investigating how Robinson recorded and released a podcast from his prison cell.

March 2025: Robinson challenges prison segregation

In March 2025, Tommy Robinson challenged the Ministry of Justice's decision to segregate him from other prisoners at HM Prison Woodhill. He claimed he was "terrified of the long-term consequences of the continued solitary confinement".

March 2025: Trial expected for terror-related offence

In March 2025, a trial was initially expected to begin for Tommy Robinson's terror-related offence.

March 2025: Court dismisses Robinson's claim about prison segregation

On March 21, 2025, Mr Justice Chamberlain dismissed Tommy Robinson's claim regarding his prison segregation, stating that the decision had been taken for Robinson's own protection and in the interests of preserving the safety of other prisoners and staff.

April 2025: Appeal against prison sentence lost

In April 2025, Tommy Robinson lost an appeal against his 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

May 2025: Charged with Harassment

On 21 May 2025, Tommy Robinson was charged with harassment causing fear of violence against two Daily Mail journalists in August 2024.

June 2025: Appeared in Court

On 5 June 2025, Tommy Robinson appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and elected for a trial by jury regarding harassment charges. He was released on bail ahead of a pre-trial hearing in July 2025.

July 2025: Entered Not Guilty Pleas

At a hearing in July 2025, Tommy Robinson entered not guilty pleas to harassment charges. The trial is scheduled for 16 October 2026.

August 2025: Shared a video falsely accusing a black man of paedophilia

In August 2025, Tommy Robinson shared a video on Twitter of a black man playing with his white granddaughters in a park, falsely accusing him of paedophilia. This led to racial abuse against the family.

September 2025: Organized 'Unite the Kingdom' rally

On 13 September 2025, Tommy Robinson organized a 'Unite the Kingdom' rally in central London, attended by over 110,000 people, which was met by a counter-protest. Violence occurred, resulting in injuries to police officers and arrests.

October 2025: Police officers suspended for allegedly supporting Robinson

In October 2025, some Metropolitan Police officers were suspended for allegedly supporting Tommy Robinson's anti-Muslim stance.

October 2025: Terror trial opens

In October 2025, the trial for Tommy Robinson's terror-related offence opened; after a two-day hearing closed on 14 October, a judgement announced on 4 November 2025 cleared Robinson of the offence.

November 2025: Robinson cleared of terror offence

In November 2025, Tommy Robinson was cleared of the terror offence. The judge ruled that Robinson was stopped unlawfully as, rather than on suspicion of a connection to terrorism, the stop was based on what the far-right activist "stood for" and his beliefs.