In an article published by Neil Wilby Media on 29th January, 2024 (read here) it was revealed that the far-right activist known as ‘Tommy Robinson’ was set to return to Oldham on 23rd March, 2024 to address supporters in the locality.
A rally in May, 2019, to muster support as a prospective Member of the European Parliament, ended in a riot in the Limeside area of the town as his supporters clashed with counter-demonstrators.
But the cancellation of the visit by the founder and former leader of the English Defence League, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, will come as a shock and disappointment to those at the forefront of alleged grooming gang cover-ups in the Borough (read more here): Former Greater Manchester Police detective constable, Maggie Oliver, notorious Tameside-based grifter and conspiracy theorist, Raja Miah, and local political commentators – and former Parliamentary candidates – Debbie Barratt-Cole and Paul Errock.
All four, each with a large on-line following, were at the forefront of similar grooming gang allegations in Barrow-in-Furness, stylised in a worldwide campaign under the heading #JusticeForEllie, which proved to be groundless. The purported victim at the centre of that campaign, Eleanor Williams, is presently serving an eight and a half year prison sentence after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice in making a series of grotesque and false allegations of rape, trafficking and grooming (read more here).
A respected source close to Tommy cites pre-occupation with legal battles as the reason for the no-show. No alternative date was given for his return to Oldham. A nod, perhaps to the fact that he is likely to return to prison before his next appearance in the famous old East Lancashire mill town.
Under his real name, Yaxley-Lennon lost a substantial libel claim in July, 2021 after a High Court judge found that he had defamed a Syrian schoolboy who was filmed being attacked at a Huddersfield school, and the Attorney General’s office, following evidence gathering by the charity HopeNotHate, is considering taking legal action for contempt of court after a documentary repeating the libel was circulated.
Assuming, as now seems likely, the matter proceeds to trial and contempt is proved, it could mean that, sometime during 2024, Tommy is back behind bars. Given his previous convictions – which include fraud, assault, stalking, using threatening behaviour and two previous contempts of court – he could well be facing up to two years in a jail such as HMP Belmarsh.
Robinson, 40, is quoted recently as saying: “I am facing a contempt of court charge because the bent judiciary, which is what it is, has silenced me and a film was leaked.”
A number of his supporters regard the findings of Mr Justice Nicklin as, variously, ‘perverse’ and ‘terribly one-sided’ but no formal challenge against the decision was made by the defendant. The published judgment can be read in full here.
He also faces City of London Magistrates on 22nd April, 2024, accused of failing to comply with a Dispersal Order. He was arrested as he exited a café opposite the Royal Courts of Justice in November, 2023 after organisers said he was not welcome at the event.
Bail conditions that prevent Mr Robinson from entering within the M25, or attending or organising a protest within London, remain in place.
Raja Miah, 50, also has an impending trial listed in Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court for 2nd and 3rd May, 2024 where, in much delayed proceedings, he will face allegations of harassing a 41 year old lawyer from the Salford area. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in February, 2022 (read more here) but remains on conditional bail.
Page last updated: Sunday 25th February 2024 at 1455 hours
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