07 November 2023 , 13:05
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Far-right extremist Tommy Robinson is calling on people to "protect" the Cenotaph on Saturday as the nation marks Armistice Day, despite planned protests venturing nowhere near the monument.
The former leader of the English Defence League - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - had been banned from Twitter (now X) since 2018, but just days after his account was reinstated by Elon Musk, he has posted a hate-filled video calling for his supporters to go to London this Saturday.
Robinson, who spent two months in a maximum security prison after he was jailed for contempt of court back in 2019, has been allowed to rejoin the social media site alongside former Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins. He now claims to be a journalist and says he will be in London to "report". Today he posted a video with the caption: "Why I'll be in London this weekend and why you should too! #Cenotaph #NeverAgain".
At the end of his six-minute, heavily edited video, harking back to footage from 14 years ago in Luton which he claims sparked his interest to act, he adds: "I'm going to be there reporting, for you, as a journalist to show what's going on that day, to document what they've allowed to happen over the last three weeks."
Robinson wants people to come to London
He claims he will be there as a journalist (PA)Pro-Palestine marches have been taken place in London across the last few weekends in response to Israel's bombardment of Gaza after Hamas attacked on October 7. The route of the pro-Palestinian march planned for this Saturday runs from Hyde Park to the US Embassy in south London. It does not pass through Whitehall.
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Stand Up to Racism gave a response to Robinson's post and said: "Fascist #TommyRobinson is calling a demo on Saturday to ‘defend’ the #Cenotaph - from a non existent threat. As in his BNP & EDL days he promotes #Islamophobia & is organising for violence. Sunak & Braverman’s rhetoric is giving the Far Right the excuse to mobilise."
The Metropolitan Police told the Mirror they would not directly comment on Robinson's tweet but are calling on coalition of organisers to consider postponing any demonstrations in London this Armistice Weekend. It added that senior officers are concerned at criminal acts by breakaway groups intent on fuelling disorder who are attracted by these regular events.
People at a rally in Trafalgar Square, London, during Stop the War coalition's call for a Palestine ceasefire (PA)Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing. This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital. Our message to organisers is clear: Please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend."
"Since October 7, more than 160 people have been arrested for a range of offences, including racially motivated public offences, violence and assaulting police officers. There has been an escalation in violence and disorder linked to protests, often perpetrated by breakaway groups who have no interest in demonstration causes.
"Hate crime also continues to rise significantly, with one suspect using PA equipment arrested on Saturday on suspicion of making anti-Semitic comments. More than 554 reports of anti-Semitic offences and 220 Islamophobic offences have been received between October 1 and November 1, 2023."