Tommy Robinson welcomed by Trump administration in visit to Washington
Tommy Robinson was hosted by the Trump administration for a meeting at the US state department in Washington.
The far-right agitator, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said in a post on social media platform
Robinson, who was convicted of using a false passport, stalking and contempt of court, was photographed with Joe Rittenhouse, a senior adviser at the State Department.
Mr. Rittenhouse wrote of
The visit appeared to be the latest example of the Trump administration’s promotion of “free speech” in countries where it claims politicians are suppressing voices online.
In December, the US denied visas to two Britons campaigning against online misinformation, whom Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused of leading “organised efforts to force American platforms to censor, demonize and suppress American viewpoints they oppose.”
Donald Trump also criticized the UK for its freedom of expression issues.
In response to someone writing “this is not normal” on
The US visit comes six years after Robinson failed in his attempt to visit Washington to give a speech on Capitol Hill after his visa was not granted in time.
However, last Thursday he posted a video of himself in America, saying: “I’m in the United States, see how happy I am? I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time.”
It comes just weeks after Robinson claimed he left the UK for safety after his name was reported on a so-called Islamic State broadcast encouraging others to use violence against him.
Last year Robinson organized a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London, thought to be the biggest nationalist event in decades, attended by up to 150,000 people. At the event, Elon Musk, owner of X, gave a speech via video link.
Mr. Musk had called months ago for the release of Robinson, who is serving a prison sentence for repeating defamatory claims against Syrian refugees.
Robinson founded the English Defense League in 2009 before leaving four years later.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman He told The National It would be “extremely concerning” for the Trump administration to welcome Robinson.
He said: “As communities across the UK face increasing levels of hate crime and right-wing extremism, the idea of figures like Robinson being treated as legitimate political actors by those who should be our international allies should worry us all.”
