Supporters of Tommy Robinson have gathered outside Downing Street after the activist’s official X account posted that he was “held by Police using counter terrorism legislation.”
Shortly before noon on Sunday, administrators of Mr. Robinson’s X account posted a message saying he had been “detained by Police using powers afforded to them under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The account did not mention which force allegedly arrested Mr. Robinson. The Epoch Times has messaged the account for information.
The Metropolitan Police said the force is not involved, and that it will deploy officers to police the ongoing protest.
“Met officers are not involved in the alleged arrest of Tommy Robinson and we are not aware of any links with the demonstration held yesterday in London,” the Met said in a statement on X.
“This matter involves another force and we hope that further information will be released soon.
“We are aware of posts online encouraging people to protest in London in relation to this issue.
“Any such protest must be lawful. We will deploy officers as required to prevent serious disruption or disorder and to deal with any incidents.”
Following the announcement, protesters gathered outside Downing Street, chanting and singing slogans including “release Tommy now,” “we want Tommy out, we want Tommy out,” as well as the activist’s name.
Four protesters held a several-metre-long printed banner that had a photo of Mr. Robinson with tape over his mouth and “#freetommy.”
The alleged arrest comes after Nick Lowles of campaign group Hope not Hate claimed that Mr. Robinson would be “heading to jail” for playing his banned film “Silenced” at Trafalgar Square to a crowd of thousands who attended his “Unite the Kingdom” rally.
“Tommy Robinson is currently screening the film Silenced in Trafalgar Square, just 48 hours before he appears in the High Court accused of breaking an injunction preventing him from releasing the film. He’s heading to jail,” Mr. Lowles wrote on X.
In a separate post he wrote: “The Attorney General’s office have been made aware of Tommy Robinson screening a film he was banned from showing. Such a flagrant disregard for the law could well see him facing the maximum two-year sentence. Only himself to blame.”
Mr. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, also posted the 1 hour 45 minute film on X on Saturday afternoon. He said he had previously avoided publishing the video because he was “scared.”
It is unclear whether Mr. Robinson’s alleged arrest is related to the film, which centres on the case of Jamal Hijazi, who was a schoolboy when he was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.
Mr. Hijazi, a Syrian refugee, successfully sued Mr. Robinson in 2021 for libel over his claims, including about Mr. Hijazi attacking girls in his school.
The court also ordered an injunction preventing Mr. Robinson from repeating the allegations he made against the then-teenager.
In August 2022, Mr. Robinson was fined £900 for failing to turn up at a High Court hearing to be questioned about his finances related to pre-trial costs in the case of around £43,000.
In June, the Attorney General’s Office filed papers to begin potential contempt proceedings against Mr. Robinson over allegations he breached the court order from 2021.
He is due to appear at the High Court in London for a directions hearing in that case on Monday.
