Tommy Robinson case: Supporters hurl beer cans as protests erupt after former EDL leader found in contempt of court

Live updates from the Old Bailey contempt hearing

Tommy Robinson arrives at the Old Bailey for contempt of court hearing

Tommy Robinson is facing another prison sentence after being found in contempt of court by judges at the Old Bailey.

The 36 year-old founder of the English Defence League breached reporting restrictions on a grooming trial by livestreaming a video outside Leeds Crown Court and “aggressively confronting” defendants in the case.

Robinson, who is in court under his real name of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was previously jailed for 13 months in May 2018 but was freed on appeal because the original contempt hearing was “rushed”.

Two High Court judges, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Warby, are due to decide on the sentence at another hearing on 11 July.

See below for our liveblog on the court hearing at the Old Bailey:

Key Points

• Tommy Robinson found in contempt of court
• Supporters erupt in fury at judges' decision
• Robinson could face up to two years in prison
• Supporters' bus slapped with parking ticket outside Old Bailey
• Robinson's explanation to judges is impossible, court hears

[5 July 2019 16:40 · Peter Stubley]

Supporters were eventually ushered back to behind security fences, but a small number of protesters continued to scream at police while holding up their phones as if filming the officers.

[5 July 2019 16:41 · Peter Stubley]

Supporters then began chanting the "Tommy" song again.

[5 July 2019 16:48 · Peter Stubley]

Other court users are not being allowed out by the main entrance due to the scenes outside the Old Bailey.

[5 July 2019 16:52 · Peter Stubley]

Tommy Robinson is now leaving the court through the main entrance. He is being given advice by a police officer.

[5 July 2019 16:52 · Peter Stubley]

His appearance outside is met by screams and shouts from his supporters and a short burst of "Oh Tommy, Tommy"

[5 July 2019 17:06 · Peter Stubley]

As Robinson left court he was surrounded by journalists and security.

A couple of his supporters tried to film the reporters, calling them "scum".

Addressing the crowd, Robinson said the verdict was wrong and claimed it would have a negative impact on press freedom.

He said: "I've been convicted 'cos of who I am, not what I've done."

[5 July 2019 17:08 · Peter Stubley]

A message has been issued to supporters on Tommy Robinson's Telegram group, calling the decision "the biggest political stitch-up we have ever seen".

It reads: "So every single journalist that photographed Tommy going into this court - are they going to be in the Old Bailey and getting guilty of contempt of court?

"This is the biggest case of 'one rule for Tommy' and one for everyone else. British justice system and the establishment stinks."

[5 July 2019 17:19 · Peter Stubley]

Here's a clip from the footage that led to Tommy Robinson being found in contempt.

[5 July 2019 17:25 · Peter Stubley]

How close did Tommy Robinson come to causing the grooming trial to collapse? Home Affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden repports how five defence lawyers in that case applied for the jury to be dismissed because of the livestream video.

[5 July 2019 17:29 · Peter Stubley]

Here's reaction from campaign group Stand Up to Racism's Weyman Bennett:

Today anti racists and anti fascists everywhere have cause to celebrate--Tommy Robinson, a lifelong racist and fascist, has been found guilty of contempt of court and faces the prospect of being sent down. This follows his deeply humiliating defeat in the Euro elections thanks to the work of anti racists who got out onto the streets to build a mass movement that could expose him. Everywhere he went, he said it was difficult because people kept saying he was a Nazi! 

"His side is severely weakened, and anti racists should be proud of what we have done decisively to inflict this. But the lesson is we have to continue to stand together to stop him, as well as taking on the rise of a racist populist right, the far right, and we must challenge the institutionalised racism and attempts to normalise racism from the top of the establishment. This is what fans the flames of the far right.