Tommy Robinson admits contempt of court for false claims against Syrian refugee

Tommy Robinson has admitted committing contempt of court by repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee, in breach of an injunction.

Robinson, 41, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, admitted breaching the High Court order made in 2021 as he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday.

The Solicitor General issued two contempt claims against Robinson earlier this year, claiming he “knowingly” breached the order on multiple occasions.

Robinson appeared in the dock after being remanded in custody on Friday, wearing a grey suit and waistcoat with no tie.

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At the start of a hearing, Aidan Eardley KC, for the Solicitor General, said a “resolution” had been reached over the allegations, and read them out to the court.

When asked by Mr Justice Johnson whether he accepted he had committed the breaches, Robinson nodded and then replied “yes”.

Robinson had been barred from repeating false claims about Jamal Hijazi, a former schoolboy who won a libel case against him.

After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims on Facebook, including accusing Mr Hijazi of attacking girls at his school.

Mr Hijazi was then assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.

In June, the Solicitor General issued the first contempt claim against Robinson, alleging he "knowingly" broke the court order on four occasions.

Lawyers previously told a judge that Robinson had “published, caused, authorised or procured” a film titled Silenced in May last year, which includes the libellous claims.

The film is currently pinned to the top of Robinson’s profile on X. He has also repeated the claims in three interviews between February and June 2023.

Those who commit contempt of court can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

The hearing continues.

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