Tommy Robinson, the former English Defence League leader, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday for trial after being arrested for failing to leave a march against anti-Semitism in London last November.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of breaching a dispersal order by refusing to leave the area near the Royal Courts of Justice during the demonstration on 26 November 2023. The march, the first major rally since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict, drew an estimated 100,000 participants.
Organisers had stated that Robinson was not welcome at the event. During his arrest, police used synthetic pepper spray and handcuffed him. Robinson later posted a video on social media showing his partially closed eyes, claiming he was present as a journalist for his platform 'Urban Scoop'.
At the court appearance, Robinson broadcast live for 'Urban Scoop', attempting to interview journalists outside the building. He had previously denied the charge at a hearing on 22 January.
His defence barrister, Alistair Williamson KC, made a last-minute application to prevent the publication of Robinson's address, citing that his client had received 12 Osman warnings from police, indicating credible threats to his life.
