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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Jordan King

Tommy Robinson charged over refusal to leave London antisemitism march

Tommy Robinson has been charged with failing to comply with an order banning him from the area where the march against antisemitism took place in London on Sunday.

Using the far-right activist's real name, the Metropolitan Police said: "Stephen Lennon, of Bedfordshire, has been charged with failing to comply with a section 35 direction excluding a person from an area."

The 40-year-old was released on bail and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 22.

Officers used pepper spray when they arrested Robinson near the Royal Courts of Justice in the capital - where the demonstration began after organisers said he would not be welcome at the event.

Robinson uploaded a video of himself with partially closed eyes to social media after the confrontation.

Other footage of him arguing with police officers was also posted on his X account, with Robinson claiming to be present as a journalist at the march.

Following his release from custody, he claimed that bail conditions preventing him from entering London or taking part in protests were "a blatant abuse of his human rights".

The Met posted on X at the time: "We have been in frequent contact with the organisers of the march in recent days.

"They have been clear about their concerns that the man's attendance, and that of those who are likely to accompany him, would cause fear for other participants. The same view has been voiced by others.

"As a result, he was spoken to and warned on more than one occasion that his continued presence in the area was likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to others.

"He was directed to leave the area but refused to do so.

"We're aware that the man had suggested he was in the area as a journalist. This was not a relevant factor in his arrest."

Thousands took part in a march against anti-Semetism over the weekend, with former PM Boris Johnson being one of them.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis told the crowd that British Jews "will not be intimidated" by the rise in anti-Jewish hate.

At the end of Sunday, the Met said a total of two arrests had taken place.

More to follow.

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