Far-Right Activist Ejected from £100-a-Head Hawksmoor After Just One Course – Hours After Court Appearance on Harassment Charges
Tommy Robinson and his entourage were dramatically ejected from one of London’s most exclusive steakhouses after staff complained they felt “uncomfortable” serving the controversial far-right activist – with his dining companion provocatively asking if it was because of “the colour of my skin.”
The extraordinary incident at the upscale Hawksmoor restaurant near Regent Street saw the group, who had barely finished their starters, asked to leave halfway through their meal on Thursday evening in what critics are calling an act of “censorship with a wine list.”
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Footage of the confrontation, filmed by former EDL spokesman Guramit Singh Kalirai who was dining with Robinson, shows a clearly uncomfortable restaurant manager explaining to the stunned group: “Members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you.”
In a pointed exchange, Kalirai – a British Sikh who was once a prominent member of the English Defence League – immediately challenged: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The manager quickly responded “No, no, no,” before explaining: “We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
‘JUST HAD OUR STARTERS’
The incident occurred at Hawksmoor’s prestigious Air Street location, just steps from London’s glittering Regent Street, where a ribeye steak costs upwards of £50 and the wine list runs into the hundreds.
Taking to social media platform X, an outraged Kalirai posted the video with the caption: “Just been kicked out of Hawksmoor steakhouse for no reason. Literally just had our starters.”
In the footage, he can be heard exclaiming to the camera: “Have you seen that? We’ve just been kicked out of the steakhouse. Been sat here for a f***ing hour. We are sat here with the celebrities.”
CEO’S BUSINESS CARD HANDED OVER
In an attempt to smooth over the awkward situation, the manager handed Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – a business card for Hawksmoor’s CEO Will Beckett, suggesting he contact him “if he has any questions.”
The restaurant offered to cover the first round of drinks, with the manager adding apologetically: “I’m very sorry. I hope it hasn’t inconvenienced you.”
The group, who witnesses say left “peacefully and politely,” were reportedly an hour into their meal when they were asked to leave.
HOURS AFTER COURT DRAMA
The restaurant drama unfolded just hours after Robinson had appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.
The 42-year-old activist is accused of harassing MailOnline journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber through his X account between August 5 and 7, 2024.
Robinson, who opted for a jury trial, was released on bail by Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring and is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
HAWKSMOOR’S DEFENCE
In a carefully worded statement issued after the incident went viral, Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett insisted the decision was “not about politics or beliefs.
“Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible,” the statement read. On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained.
Beckett added: “Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.”
The CEO revealed that staff had faced “a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning.
CONSERVATIVE BACKLASH
The incident has sparked fierce debate, with conservative commentators slamming the restaurant’s actions as discriminatory and hypocritical.
Writing in the Conservative Post, one critic branded Hawksmoor purveyors of “prime cuts and prime sanctimony,” adding: “A man walks into your steakhouse. He orders, he eats, he pays. That should be the end of the story.”
The publication declared it would boycott the restaurant chain, stating: “They’ve served up nothing but shame, and frankly, it’s nauseating.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had previously criticized Labour’s handling of issues around free speech and political tolerance.
FRESH FROM PRISON
Robinson had only recently been released from HMP Woodhill on May 27 after serving time for contempt of court. He had been jailed in October after admitting multiple breaches of an injunction that barred him from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel.
His 18-month sentence was reduced by four months at the High Court after he gave assurances he would comply with the injunction in future.
During his time in prison, Robinson was held in segregation for his own protection after intelligence reports suggested other inmates were plotting to assault him, with the Ministry of Justice fearing he could “be killed by a lifer” if he remained on a wing.
CELEBRITY HOTSPOT
Hawksmoor, which has multiple locations across London and beyond, is known for its high-end British fare and celebrity clientele. The Air Street location, situated in the heart of Mayfair, regularly hosts A-listers and business elite.
The restaurant group, founded in 2006, has won numerous awards for its steaks and cocktails, with the Air Street venue particularly known for its art deco-inspired interior and extensive wine cellar.
DIVIDED OPINION
The incident has divided public opinion, with some supporting the restaurant’s right to refuse service while others argue it sets a dangerous precedent for political discrimination.
One social media user wrote: “No decent restaurant or establishment should knowingly serve him,” while another countered: “If he wasn’t misbehaving in the restaurant then the staff should have let him and his companions eat their meal.”
The debate has reignited discussions about whether businesses should be able to refuse service based on political views, with legal experts noting that being a “controversial figure” is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.
As one commentator noted: “When you run a restaurant in a free society, the duty of care extends not just to the staff, but to the patrons paying for a quiet dinner without being turned into a political headline.
