Anti-grooming gang activist Tommy Robinson has been arrested under anti-terrorism legislation, according to his supporters. A post on the verified X account of the activist claimed that he was detained by police using powers afforded to them under the Terrorism Act 2000. The arrest occurred following a large demonstration in central London, during which Robinson screened his banned film Silenced for his supporters.
Robinson’s reported arrest comes as he was due in the High Court on Monday after being accused of contempt of court for producing the film and for repeating the claims made within it. The film documents the legal battle between the activist and Jamal Hijazi, who successfully sued Robinson in 2021 after the latter claimed that the Syrian refugee boy had attacked girls at his school prior to the viral Almondbury Community School incident.
Robinson was ordered to pay Hijazi £100,000 in damages and was given an injunction against repeating the claims made in the film. During the protest in London on Saturday, Robinson said: “I’ll be jailed for two years for showing the inconceivable truth.” Police have not confirmed the arrest at the time of this reporting.
In response to Nick Lowles, the head of the far-left Hope Not Hate organization, who questioned why Robinson was allowed to screen his film, the Met said: “We did not know what films would be shown during the event. Organisers of protests are not required to share those details in advance. There is no power for us to compel them to do so. Officers on duty for the event couldn’t reasonably have been aware of civil proceedings ongoing in relation to a particular film, but having now been made aware we’re making further enquiries to determine what action we need to take.
This story is still developing.