Tommy Robinson: EDL founder formally released from bail by judge at Old Bailey

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was no longer subject to any bail conditions

Monday 05 November 2018 11:07 GMT

✕

Tommy Robinson addresses supporters outside court after case referred to Attorney General

Tommy Robinson has been formally released from bail.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC announced that the founder of the English Defence League – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was no longer subject to any bail conditions after referring his contempt of court case to the Attorney General.

In a brief hearing at the Old Bailey, the judge said: “This is simply to indicate in open court that now the matter has been referred to the Attorney General, Mr Yaxley-Lennon is no longer on bail to this court.

“As there is no bail, there are no bail conditions.”

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Show all 16

1/16Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

A Tommy Robinson supporter in London after former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson left the Old Bailey where his contempt of court case was adjourned

PA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

A Tommy Robinson supporter outside the Old Bailey in London where the former English Defence League (EDL) leader is accused of contempt of court

PA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson supporters outside the Old Bailey in London before former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson arrives accused of contempt of court

PA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson protest at the Old Bailey Courthouse

EPA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or 'Tommy Robinson', who was jailed for contempt of court in May and later released, wait for him to arrive at the Old Bailey to attend a court hearing

Reuters

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson arrives for his hearing at the Old Bailey

Reuters

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right spokeseman Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the right-wing EDL (English Defence League) wave flags as they demonstrate outsise The Old Bailey

AFP/Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

EPA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

EPA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Robinson gestures to supporters from inside the Old Bailey

AFP/Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

AFP/Getty

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

EPA

Robinson was freed from prison in August after three leading judges quashed a contempt of court finding made at Leeds Crown Court.

But he could be sent back to jail if he is again found in contempt for filming people in a Huddersfield grooming trial in Leeds and broadcasting the footage on social media.

The court heard he denied breaching the Contempt of Court Act and making a broadcast likely to seriously prejudice the trial.

The announcement comes after reports that Robinson could make more than £1m from a potential trip to the US later this month.

He has been invited to speak at the US congress by a group of Republican politicians and is waiting waiting to see if US authorities will grant him a visa.

Tommy Robinson posts video online surrounded by British Army soldiers

Judge Hilliard had referred the case to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC after receiving a document from Robinson last month.

He had said: “It is sufficient to say that the nature and extent of the controversies to be considered emerged to my eye more clearly than before.”

Had the case been heard by Judge Hilliard at the Old Bailey, witnesses, including Robinson, could not have been cross examined.

A large crowd of supporters had turned out to cheer on Robinson at his last appearance.

Afterwards, the Attorney General’s Office has said all the material was being looked at “afresh” before a decision was made on whether to refer Robinson to the High Court for contempt.