Tommy Robinson flew to Moscow with funding from Elon Musk
London: British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson has been embroiled in a new controversy after it was revealed that he flew to Moscow with the support of Elon Musk’s family foundation while befriending One Nation leader Pauline Hanson during a visit to the UK.
Critics called Robinson a “useful idiot” for the Russian government after Musk’s father said the foundation paid for Robinson to visit Moscow early last month.
Musk’s father Errol told Guard He said he arranged for Robinson to travel to Russia and that the visit was funded by the Musk Foundation, a nonprofit organization run by the billionaire and his brother Kimbal.
The news fueled debate about ties between right-wing groups and the Kremlin, given that some leaders on the right have praised Russian President Vladimir Putin at some points over the past decade.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has a huge following in Britain after years of criticizing Muslims and calling for a halt to immigration. But he has a checkered personal history filled with bankruptcy and threatening behavior.
He was convicted of crimes such as assault and fraud.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said reports about the financing of the Russia trip suggested Robinson was a threat to democracy.
“Tommy Robinson is a useful idiot for a hostile state” Davey posted on XSocial media platform owned by Musk and his company SpaceX.
“What kind of so-called British patriots, financed by a US trillionaire, are flying to Moscow to rub shoulders with Putin’s cronies?” Davey asked.
“We must protect our democracy from far-right thugs, shady tech bros, and foreign interference.”
Nick Lowles, chief executive of progressive advocacy group Hope Not Hate, described Robinson as a traitor and said: “Once again he is siding with Russia over Britain.”
Robinson did not respond to criticism and instead posted about her time with HansonThey included a visit together to his hometown of Luton, north London, to discuss what he portrayed as a decline as a result of immigration.
The One Nation leader also spoke to Robinson on his weekly podcast and also met with other right-wing figures in Britain before attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in London this week.
A podcast with Robinson helped trigger television presenter Karl Stefanovic’s departure from the Nine Network last month. Some critics criticized Stefanovic for effusively praising Robinson during the personal podcast without asking any compelling questions.
Robinson was ostracized by right-wing populist leader and chairman of Reform UK Nigel Farage due to his hard-line views and criminal convictions. However, he received support from Rupert Lowe, a member of the House of Commons, and left Reform to form his own party, Restore Britain.
European conservatives have been embroiled in a series of Putin-related controversies for over a decade; some right-wing groups praised the Russian leader even as he accused him of “hybrid war” against Western democracies and direct war against Ukraine.
Farage said in 2014 that he admired Putin as a political operative but not as a person. He has since hardened his tongue. Last October he said Putin was a “very bad man” The West, on the other hand, should take a tougher stance against Russia on defense.
Hanson praised Putin in 2017, three years after Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine and supplied the missiles used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
Speaking to the ABC, the woman said: “I respect this man. He is very patriotic to his country, people love him, he does very good things for his country. A lot of Australians here want this leadership in Australia.” insider The program in March of the same year.
In Germany, right-wing leader Alice Weidel, whose Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in national polls, called for improved relations with Russia and an end to bans on Russian oil and gas. Senior AfD member Markus Frohnmaier visited Russia last month.
In France, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen plans to run for president next year, but has been compared to Putin in the past. He met Putin in Moscow in 2017, just before that year’s French election campaign, and in 2022, just before a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, after the invasion, Le Pen condemned Russia for its actions.
The Musk family’s relations with Moscow were complicated. Errol Musk visited Moscow several times last year; He also last met Robinson in June, when he was about to attend an economic forum.
Errol Musk said in an interview, “I see Putin as a calm leader and I listen to what he says. Everything he says is meaningful to me.” It was reported by Russian state media service TASS last year.
However, Elon Musk is at odds with Moscow over the war in Ukraine because his company Starlink, which is also part of SpaceX, provides communications to the Ukrainian army.
Russian forces tried to block Starlink. During the Russian attack on the city of Kherson last year, Musk is said to have ordered the satellite service to be shut down to prevent Russia from using it.
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David Crowe is the European correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect with: X or email.
