26 November 2023 , 16:59
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Far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson, 40, has been led away by police at an anti-Semitism march. Police also confirmed that a 40-year-old man was arrested earlier today.
Robinson had previously expressed his interest in joining the rally today, but organisers warned him he wasn’t welcome. Ex-PM Boris Johnson was among those who joined thousands of people for the demonstration, along with prominent members of the British Jewish community including Vanessa Feltz, Tracey-Ann Oberman, Eddie Marsan, Rachel Riley, and Maureen Lipman.
The English Defence League co-founder, real name Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, was spotted in the Soho Coffee Co cafe in London directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice earlier this afternoon. Eye-witnesses said Robinson, who was joined by around five to 10 associates, was involved in a scuffle outside the coffee shop with police, before being corralled and escorted down the Strand.
Met Police later revealed that a 40-year-old man who refused to leave the area had been arrested. A spokesperson for the force said: "Officers working as part of the policing and security operation for the March Against Antisemitism have arrested a 40-year-old man on The Strand. He refused to comply with a direction to disperse under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.
Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson - real name Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon (AFP via Getty Images)"We have been in frequent contact with the organisers of the march in recent days. They have been clear about their concerns that the man’s attendance, and that of those who were likely to accompany him, would cause fear for other participants. The same view has been voiced by others.
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"As a result, he was spoken to and warned on more than one occasion that his continued presence in the area was likely to cause harassment, alarm, and distress to others. He was directed to leave the area but refused to do so. We’re aware that the man had suggested he was in the area as a journalist. This was not a relevant factor in his arrest."
Tommy Robinson being spoken to by police in Soho coffee shop in London
The far-right agitator was escorted away by policeCaroline Broadhurst, a Christian volunteer who had come to show her support for the Jewish community, said: "There were lots of police standing outside [the coffee shop] at around midday. They sort of went up The Strand towards Temple Underground station.
"There was a bit of a ruckus, but it was not a major thing. It was just five or 10 of them... The police outnumbered them. They were just being foolish. I have to say, the police were great and very efficient. They were talking outside the coffee shop ... I don’t know what happened there, but someone did say it was Tommy Robinson. I don’t know what they were trying to do, but the police just corralled them."
Organisers of the march repeatedly stressed their concerns about Robinson's attendance (PA)A police officer also confirmed Robinson had been at the scene earlier, but had long since left. A member of staff at the Soho Coffee Co. branch opposite the High Court added: "They were here earlier, having breakfast. There was a scuffle outside, but I don’t know what happened. I think someone was arrested."
The woman added that Robinson had enjoyed a full English beforehand.
As the march passed the coffee shop, police officers took signs off a man which had upset the marchers – one of whom attempted to tackle him from the table he was stood on outside the same coffee shop, at around 2pm.