Tommy Robinson charged after arrest at antisemitism rally in London

Tommy Robinson has been charged with a criminal offence after he was arrested at a march against antisemitism in London.

The founder of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) allegedly refuse to leave when asked to do so on Sunday.

He was charged with failing to comply with an order excluding him from the area of the rally, the Metropolitan Police said.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was pepper sprayed by officers after he turned up at the protest.

The Met Police said on Sunday: ‘Officers working as part of the policing and security operation for the March Against Antisemitism have arrested a 40-year-old man on the Strand.

‘He refused to comply with a direction to disperse under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.’

Following his arrest, the Met said on X, formerly Twitter, today that a man ‘has now been charged in connection with this incident’.

It said: ‘Stephen Lennon, of Bedfordshire, has been charged with failing to comply with a section 35 direction excluding a person from an area.’

He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 22.

The Met said it had been in ‘frequent contact’ with the organisers of the march in the days beforehand.

Robinson was detained by dozens of officers near the Royal Courts of Justice, which is where the demonstration began.

March Against Antisemitism organisers had previously said Robinson would not be welcome at the march.

A Met Police spokesman added after his arrest: ‘They have been clear about their concerns with the man’s attendance, and that of those who were 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.’

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