UK: Activist Tommy Robinson Jailed for 18 Months
The Facts
British political activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been jailed for 18 months after he admitted to contempt of court on Monday.
In October 2018, Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi's family received death threats after the 41-year-old shared a viral video of him being attacked by a teenager at school, alleging that he was a violent thug.
The Spin
Robinson blatantly breached libel restrictions, thumbing his nose at the court, thinking he was above the law. With his incendiary comments, he not only disobeyed an injunction but also stirred up anti-immigrant riots across the UK in July. His sentence isn't a matter of his political views or freedom of expression but of his direct and flagrant breach of the court's order.
Robinson's conviction doesn't mean he is far-right or has played a part in inciting the unrest in the UK. He accepts his guilt but acted as he did because he follows his principles, believes in free speech and a free press, and desires to expose the truth. Though the injunction contradicted his views, he will comply with the sentence.
