Far-right activist Tommy Robinson told a harassment trial he used private investigators to find journalists who wrote about his alleged role in the 2024 riots. Robinson denied his actions, which included sharing photos of a journalist's family, were intended to intimidate, stating he wanted to "put pressure" on them.
The trial concerns allegations of harassment and intimidation tactics used by Tommy Robinson against journalists, raising questions about the boundaries of activism and the safety of reporters covering sensitive events.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson told his harassment trial that he used private investigators to find journalists who had written about his alleged role in the 2024 riots. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, admitted to having photos taken of journalists' homes "to put pressure" on them but denied his actions were designed to intimidate or bully.
Robinson is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence to MailOnline journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber in 2024. He denies the charges.
During cross-examination, Robinson claimed it was "totally reasonable" to publish a photo of Dirnhuber at his home. He stated he was "in a race against time" to get the Mail to remove a photo of his ex-wife, which was published in a story about him being in Cyprus. However, he conceded that when he sent messages to the journalists and left a voicemail for the Mail's editor-in-chief, he had not asked for the image to be removed.
Robinson said he believed he was "restrained" in his voicemail to editor-in-chief Ted Verity, in which he threatened to make Verity and his family famous. He also told the journalists he would get their addresses because he was "using it as a play card".
Prosecutor Ben Holt questioned Robinson about Dirnhuber and his partner having to leave their home due to threatening emails, and about Young's family also considering leaving their home. Robinson responded that he wished the situation had not happened and that he was "panicked". He told Southwark crown court that the journalists knew he was not going to "beat them up".
Robinson was also asked about messages and online posts directed at the journalists by others after he had tweeted about them. He denied agreeing with these messages and stated he did not know who sent them.
Robinson was in Cyprus in early August 2024 during riots across England following the murder of three girls in Southport. He told the jury he was with his ex-wife, children, and other families, and that he tried to calm things rather than "stoke" the riots.
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