Neil Wilby Media

In recent years, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as ‘Tommy Robinson‘, has been at the centre of several high-profile legal battles that have significantly impacted his public persona and legal standing: From a libel case involving a Syrian refugee to subsequent contempt of court proceedings and issues surrounding his prison segregation,

Robinson’s actions and their legal repercussions offer a compelling narrative on the boundaries of free speech, the rule of law, and the consequences of defying judicial orders.​

In October 2018, a distressing video surfaced showing Jamal Hijazi, a 15-year-old Syrian refugee, being assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield. The footage, which quickly went viral, elicited widespread sympathy for Hijazi and condemnation of bullying.

However, Robinson took a divergent stance by posting two videos on Facebook accusing Hijazi of being a violent aggressor who “attacked young English girls in his school.” These allegations were vehemently denied by Hijazi, who subsequently initiated libel proceedings against Robinson.​

The libel trial commenced in April 2021 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Representing himself, Robinson argued that his statements were substantially true, asserting that Hijazi had exhibited violent behavior in the past. However, the court found no credible evidence to support Robinson’s claims.

In his judgment delivered on July 22, 2021, Mr. Justice Nicklin stated that Robinson’s allegations were unfounded and had caused Hijazi significant distress. Consequently, the court awarded Hijazi £100,000 in damages and imposed an injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the defamatory claims. ​

Despite the court’s clear injunction, Robinson continued to propagate the defamatory allegations against Hijazi. Between February 2023 and July 2024, he breached the injunction multiple times, including in a YouTube documentary that garnered over 44 million views up to that point. These actions prompted the Solicitor General to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Robinson. The video has now clocked up over 150 million views, worldwide.

The contempt hearings culminated in October 2024 at the High Court. Robinson admitted to breaching the injunction but showed little remorse for his actions. Mr. Justice Jeremy Johnson underscored the gravity of Robinson’s contempt, highlighting that his deliberate actions undermined the authority of the court and inflicted further harm on Hijazi.

On 28th October, 2024, Robinson was sentenced to 18 months in prison for contempt of court. The judge also ordered Robinson to pay £80,350.82 in legal costs and reiterated that the injunction remained in force, prohibiting any further repetition of the defamatory claims.

Following his incarceration, Robinson was placed in segregation at HMP Woodhill due to credible threats against his safety from other inmates. Intelligence reports indicated that prisoners, including those serving life sentences, had plotted to harm, or kill, Robinson to gain notoriety. Consequently, the prison authorities deemed segregation necessary to protect Robinson and maintain the safety of the institution.

Robinson challenged his segregation, arguing that it was politically motivated and detrimental to his mental health. He claimed that the isolation led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased the risk of substance abuse relapse upon release.

However, the High Court, in a judgment handed down by Mr. Justice Chamberlain on 21st March, 2025, found that the segregation was lawful and implemented solely for Robinson’s protection. The judge noted that the measures were necessary due to the real and immediate risks to Robinson’s safety and that his conditions in segregation did not amount to solitary confinement, as he had access to various facilities and regular contact with family and professionals.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, under the pseudonym Tommy Robinson, co-founded the English Defence League (EDL) in 2009, a far-right organisation known for its anti-Islam stance. Over the years, Robinson has been a polarising figure, attracting both fervent support and staunch opposition.

His activism has led to multiple legal issues, including convictions for assault, mortgage fraud, and previous contempt of court charges. Despite these setbacks, Robinson has maintained a significant following, leveraging social media platforms to disseminate his views. and amassing huge sums of money in donations and subscriptions

Robinson’s legal troubles have not gone unnoticed internationally. Notably, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, publicly expressed support for Robinson, criticising his imprisonment and advocating for free speech. Musk’s comments reignited debates over the UK’s handling of grooming gang scandals and the balance between free expression and the rule of law. This international attention has amplified discussions about Robinson’s actions and their broader societal implications. ​

The legal journey of Tommy Robinson underscores the complexities inherent in balancing free speech with the enforcement of legal boundaries designed to protect individuals from defamation and uphold the integrity of the judicial system. Robinson’s persistent defiance of court orders, and the subsequent legal repercussions, highlight the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the rule of law, irrespective of an individual’s public profile or ideological stance.

As Robinson continues to serve his sentence, his case serves as a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of disregarding legal injunctions and the enduring importance of accountability within a democratic society.

The author of this article, Neil Wilby, adds: “Having read the judgment of Mr Justice Chamberlain, he had, on both the evidence before him and the applicable law, an easy decision to make. Stephen Laxley-Lennon was not, in my view as a journalist and long-standing court reporter, particularly well served by his legal team”.

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