Tommy Robinson Trial: Prosecutor Urges Jurors to Reject 'Vigilante World'

Prosecutor Ben Holt urged jurors at London's Southwark Crown Court not to permit a 'vigilante world' where 'Men's Rules' apply, as closing speeches concluded in the trial of far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence, charges he denies.

Holt described Robinson's actions against two journalists, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, as 'bullyboy, intimidatory tactics' employed in retaliation for an article published by the Mail. The article reportedly stated that Robinson was 'stoking race riots from his sunbed' while he was on holiday in Cyprus. The court heard that Robinson, 43, used private investigators to track down the journalists after the article angered him.

Robinson is accused of sending threatening messages and making calls to the journalists after they revealed his holiday location through social media posts. He allegedly told Mr. Dirnhuber, "I'll be knocking on your door," and swore at Mr. Young, stating he had researched his family and was "coming to get you." A voicemail allegedly left on the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail's phone included the phrase, "I've already located every f***ing one of you."

Holt argued that a video posted by Robinson, referencing "Men's Rules" for anyone endangering his family, constituted a threat intended to instill fear of violence. "Let's get real shall we, and not live in a vigilante world where Men's Rules apply, whatever they are. Let's ground ourselves in a country where there is law and order," Holt told the jury. He characterized Robinson's actions as 'retaliatory threats' akin to 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' emphasizing that retaliation is not a defense under British law.

Robinson testified that he was angered by the Mail's report. The court heard that Robinson has approximately one million followers on X, formerly Twitter, and that one of his posts received 4.7 million views. Jurors were informed that journalists were able to locate Robinson in Cyprus because he had tweeted about his whereabouts.

The prosecutor noted that while the Mail article referred to Robinson's children, they were not photographed, and his ex-wife was not mentioned at all. Holt also pointed out that Robinson only lodged a complaint about the article with the Press regulator, IPSO, more than two years after the incident.

Earlier in the trial, jurors heard that Robinson has received multiple 'threat to life' warnings from Bedfordshire Police since 2018 due to concerns about left-wing activists. He was reportedly advised to change his daily routines and travel with an associate for his safety. His car was set on fire in 2020, and in August 2024, a video circulated online showing an armed individual making threats against him.

The trial continues.