Activist flashes smile as he’s bailed after denying charges over X posts that allegedly caused reporters to fear violence
Tommy Robinson made a defiant appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, pleading not guilty to harassing two Daily Mail journalists through a barrage of social media posts – just nine days after being released from his latest stint behind bars.
The 42-year-old activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, faces two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber over alleged conduct between August 5 and 7, 2024.
In dramatic scenes outside the London court, Robinson arrived to a scrum of photographers and reporters, with dozens of his loyal supporters brandishing purple placards declaring: “Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is the man. Tommy Robinson is the movement.”
Wearing a designer cream Stone Island jacket, blue jeans and carrying a man bag, the Luton-based activist appeared relaxed as he entered not guilty pleas to both charges before Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring.
The controversial figure, who confirmed his name as “Stephen Lennon” during the hearing, flashed a smile after being granted bail and will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Fresh from freedom – straight to the dock
Robinson’s court appearance comes at an extraordinary time – he was only released from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes on May 27 after serving time for contempt of court.
His 18-month sentence for breaching an injunction was reduced by four months at the High Court after Judge Jeremy Johnson ruled that Robinson had “purged” his contempt by showing a “change in attitude” and commitment to comply with court orders.
The original sentence comprised a 14-month “punitive” element and a four-month “coercive” element, with the judge allowing Robinson to have the latter removed after his lawyers successfully argued he had taken steps to comply with the injunction.
Robinson had been jailed in October 2024 after admitting multiple breaches of a 2021 injunction which barred him from repeating false allegations against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi, who successfully sued him for libel and was awarded £100,000 in damages.
The harassment allegations
The charges relate to Robinson’s alleged conduct towards the two MailOnline journalists through his X account (formerly Twitter) during a crucial three-day period between August 5 and 7, 2024.
This timing is particularly significant as it coincides with the period when riots broke out at anti-immigration protests in towns and cities across Britain following the murder of three young girls in Southport – violence that Robinson was accused by some media and politicians of inflaming.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge Robinson with the harassment offences in May 2025, stating: “We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, 42, with harassment causing fear of violence against two men.
If convicted, Robinson could face significant prison time for the harassment charges, which carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
A controversial figure with powerful backers
Robinson’s legal troubles have attracted the attention of the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, who has publicly called for his release and questioned why he is being prosecuted.
In January 2025, Musk tweeted “Free Tommy Robinson!” and asked: “Why is Tommy Robinson in a solitary confinement prison for telling the truth?” – posts that were seen by millions on his X platform.
Robinson’s social media account claimed in January that Musk was paying some of his legal fees, though the billionaire has not confirmed this.
The activist, who was banned from Twitter in 2018 for violating its “hateful conduct” rules, was allowed to return to the platform when Musk bought it. He now boasts more than one million followers on X.
A long history with the law
Yesterday’s court appearance adds to Robinson’s extensive criminal record, which includes:
- 2005: Jailed for assaulting an off-duty police officer
- 2011: Ordered to do community service for leading a brawl involving more than 100 soccer fans
- 2013: Imprisoned for illegally entering the United States using a friend’s passport
- 2014: Jailed for mortgage fraud
- 2018: Violated a court order by publishing a Facebook Live video of defendants entering court
- 2021: Given a five-year stalking prevention order for harassing journalist Lizzie Dearden and her partner
- 2021: Found to have libelled a 15-year-old refugee and ordered to pay £100,000 plus legal costs
- 2024: Sentenced to 18 months for contempt of court (later reduced)
Life behind bars
During his recent imprisonment, Robinson was held in segregation at HMP Woodhill – a decision he challenged in the High Court, claiming he was “terrified of the long-term consequences of the continued solitary confinement.”
The Ministry of Justice said Robinson had been segregated after receiving multiple intelligence reports indicating that two other prisoners were plotting to assault him, with fears that he would “be killed by a lifer” if he remained on a wing.
However, the Ministry insisted Robinson’s isolation was “substantially more permissive” than ordinary segregation arrangements, noting he had access to a laptop and email, use of gym facilities, eight hours a week for social visits, and access to a telephone for up to four hours a day.
Controversially, HM Prison Service began investigating how Robinson managed to record and release a podcast from his prison cell in January 2025, in which he praised Musk and claimed the tech billionaire was protecting freedom of speech.
The Syrian refugee case that started it all
Robinson’s recent legal troubles stem from a video that went viral in October 2018 showing 15-year-old Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi being attacked in a school playground.
Robinson responded by posting videos on Facebook (viewed almost one million times) claiming that Hijazi was “not innocent and … violently attacks young English girls in his school” – allegations that were proven false in court.
The High Court ruled in 2021 that Robinson had defamed Hijazi and ordered him to pay £100,000 in damages. Judge Jeremy Johnson also handed him an injunction preventing him from repeating the claims.
Despite initially complying with the injunction for 18 months, Robinson appeared to have a change of heart in February 2023 and repeated the false allegations in a film called “Silenced” published on YouTube, and in online interviews.
The documentary, which Robinson screened at a rally in Trafalgar Square in July 2024 despite the High Court order, has been viewed 146.2 million times on X and was retweeted by about 101,000 people, including Musk.
What happens next?
Robinson’s not guilty pleas set the stage for what promises to be a high-profile trial at Southwark Crown Court, scheduled to begin with a plea and trial preparation hearing on July 3.
The activist also faces a separate trial in October 2025 over an accusation that he failed to provide the PIN for his mobile phone when stopped by Kent Police in Folkestone in July 2024.
With powerful allies like Musk and a loyal following that turns out in force to support him, Robinson remains a divisive figure in British politics.
His supporters see him as a champion of free speech and a victim of state persecution, while critics view him as a dangerous provocateur whose rhetoric inflames tensions and promotes hatred.
As he left court yesterday, flanked by supporters and security, Robinson appeared upbeat – but with multiple legal battles ahead and a history of imprisonment, his freedom may once again prove temporary.
The Daily Mail journalists at the centre of the harassment case have not commented on the proceedings.
Image credit: Tommy Robinson at Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park by Shayan Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
