Tommy Robinson Trial: Activist Accused of Intimidating Journalists

Political activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, used "bully-boy, intimidatory tactics" to frighten two Daily Mail journalists, Southwark Crown Court heard. The 43-year-old faces two counts of harassment causing fear of violence towards reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.

Opening the trial, prosecutor Ben Holt stated that the case centers on Yaxley-Lennon's reaction to what he perceived as an "unnecessary intrusion into his holiday" following the 2024 Southport attacks. Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, pleaded not guilty to the charges in July of the previous year.

Mr Justice Cavanagh informed the jury that the trial is not an assessment of the defendant's political views. Holt described Yaxley-Lennon as a "well-known public figure" with a "large, vocal online following," including over two million followers on social media platform X. Robinson has indicated that Elon Musk is funding his legal case, which he stated has cost £400,000 in court fees to date.

Holt accused Yaxley-Lennon of using "bully-boy tactics" to "intimidate" the journalists, alleging that he "chose to frighten them, arrange for individuals to go to their addresses." The prosecution further stated that Yaxley-Lennon circulated images of the reporters' homes on social media to his millions of followers, leading to threats from his supporters and causing the journalists to be "understandably... scared" and, in some circumstances, "forced to leave their homes."

According to evidence presented, on August 5, Dirnhuber received direct messages from Yaxley-Lennon, including phrases such as "you have endangered my children," "I'll be knocking at your door," and "let your bosses know I'm coming to all of your houses." The defense's position, as presented to the jury, is that Yaxley-Lennon's family "had been put in danger by the actions of the Daily Mail" and that he had acted to "protect his family." He posted on X, "What is good for the goose is good for the gander." The trial, involving a jury of nine men and three women, is expected to last for five days.