theguardian.com
Trump administration meets with UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson
Agitator whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon was hosted by senior adviser at US state department
The far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been hosted by the Trump administration for a meeting at the state department in Washington.
Robinson, 43, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was hosted by Joe Rittenhouse, a senior adviser at the state department.
Rittenhouse wrote on X: “Honoured to have free speech warrior @TRobinsonNewEra at Department of State today.
“The world and the West is a better place when we fight for freedom of speech and no one has been on the front lines more than Tommy. Good to see you my friend!”
Robinson, who has convictions for assault, using a fake passport, mortgage fraud and contempt of court for repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee in breach of an injunction, wrote on X: “In America making alliances & friendships, today I had the privilege of an invite to the @StateDept.”
Earlier this month, the far-right agitator said he has left the UK after he was warned by police that they received intelligence he was named in a so-called Islamic State publication which encouraged others “to commit violence” against him.
He posted a clip of a phone call from police to his X account in which an officer told him he had been identified in a magazine called Yalghaar, which is reportedly published by ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province).
Robinson wrote on X: “I have now left the country, I need time to work things out for my safety and the safety of my family.
“I will probably have to relocate them.”
In November, the far-right activist was cleared of a terror-related offence after being accused over a refusal to give police access to his phone during a border stop in Folkestone, Kent.
After his acquittal, he thanked the US tech billionaire Elon Musk, who he said had funded his legal costs in the case.
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman told The National the Trump administration welcoming Robinson would be “deeply alarming”.
She said: “This is a man who has built his profile on division, racism and Islamophobia, and whose politics are rooted in the most vile hatred and fascism, so it’s perhaps no surprise that Donald Trump’s White House are among his fans.
“When communities across the UK are facing rising levels of hate crime and far-right extremism, the idea that figures like Robinson are being treated as legitimate political actors by what are supposed to be our international allies should concern us all.” Continue reading...
