Tommy Robinson ‘could face jail’ over film shown at Trafalgar Square as nine protesters arrested
TOMMY Robinson “could face jail” after screening a banned film in Trafalgar Square with nine protestors arrested in London.
Thousands of police were mobilised in the capital as protesters led by Robinson marched through packed streets on Saturday.
Huge crowds chanting “Rule Britannia” made their way past tourist hotspots holding flags belonging to England, Wales and Scotland.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, played a “libellous” film, called Silenced, on giant screens in Trafalgar Square, which is about his ongoing legal battle with a Syrian schoolboy.
He is due to appear in the High Court on Monday after being accused of contempt for making the 105-minute long program, which includes false claims that Jamal Hijazi attacked girls in his school, after a video of the youngster being attacked in Huddersfield went viral.
Now, Robinson is also suspected of breaching an injunction which banned the 41-year-old from repeating any of the claims made in the film.
After showing the film to protestors in London, Robinson posted on X: “I’ll be jailed for two years for showing the inconceivable truth.”
And he challenged the authorities to “take him to court”, according to The Telegraph.
Thousands descended on London for the the mass turnout organised by right-wing activist Robinson.
Swathes of officers kept a close eye on those taking part, amid safety concerns, as well as blocking off certain routes with riot vans.
But Robinson’s march saw clashes between demonstrators, counter-protesters and emergency workers,
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that nine people involved or related with the protest had been arrested.
This included two men, who were arrested after an anti-racism protester was attacked as counter-demonstrators marched through London against the thousands-strong Robinson rally.
The victim received a head injury was taken to hospital after the incident in Victoria Embankment Gardens this afternoon.
Police saying the pair – who are believed to have been part of the Tommy Robinson protest – had been taken into custody on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Four people were also arrested outside a pub in Whitehall on suspicion of assault on emergency workers.
Counter-protesters walked to Whitehall, close to the scene of a “patriotic rally” organised by Robinson.
The police had already used powers under the Public Order Act to try to keep the opposing groups apart amid fears of serious disruption.
Robinson previously said the protest would be “the biggest patriotic rally the UK has ever seen”.
The English Defence League (EDL) founder recorded himself crying and posted it to X/Twitter as he joined “100,000 patriots” in what he described as an “emotional” moment.
Robinson bragged there were “far right hooligans everywhere today” before shouting “England ’till I die!”.
The march moved through the capital, from the Royal Courts of Justice, before a rally got underway in Trafalgar Square where red flares were let off into the sky.
A sea of Union Jack flags covered the Westminster plaza where a flat screen also depicted the words ‘United Kingdom’.
Protesters turned out in Union Jack and England printed suits while some wore sunglasses with the flag on.
One man was even spotted parading the roads holding up a framed picture of former US President Donald Trump – who had one of his representatives urge the UK to release Robinson from prison in 2018.
The Met Police were granted powers under the Public Order Act to try to keep the opposing groups apart amid fears of serious disruption.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of this weekend’s operation, warned that police will “intervene decisively” to deal with protesters who break the strict conditions about when and where they are allowed to demonstrate.
He said: “Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely.
“We have proactively used our powers under the Public Order Act to manage the timings and routes of marches and assemblies, ensuring that the groups are kept apart.
“Officers will intervene decisively to deal with any breaches of those conditions, prevent crime, and to respond to any other incidents.
“Everyone has a right to feel safe and be safe in London.
“Those who abuse the right to protest in an effort to unlawfully intimidate others or to use hate speech can expect to face police action.
“The police presence will be very visible and I would urge anyone out and about in London, whether participating in these events or not, to speak to an officer if they feel unsafe or wish to report an incident.”