Tommy Robinson: Brick thrown at anti-Islam activist’s campaign van in Preston
‘It missed us but smashed our screen,’ far-right campaigner says
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A man has been arrested after a brick was thrown at Tommy Robinson’s campaign van in Preston.
Robinson is currently touring north-west England ahead of Thursday’s European elections, in which he is standing as an independent candidate.
“A 36-year-old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and given an adult caution,” a spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said.
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, described the attack to his followers in a message on his Telegram channel.
“Yesterday in Preston another far left labour support threw a half house brick at us, it missed us but smashed our screen,” he said.
He provided no evidence the person who threw the brick was a Labour Party supporter.
The far-right activist was hit with milkshakes twice in two days earlier this month in Bury and Warrington.
On Monday he alleged that the assaults had led to further violence against his campaign.
“I have since had the following escalations on my election campaign,” he claimed.
“Multiple death threats, punched in the face twice grabbed by the throat, our van windows smashed, and driver intimidated.”
On Saturday counter-protesters fought with Robinson’s supporters in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Police officers came under a hail of eggs and bricks during the clashes, in which two police vehicles were damaged.
“People...turned to violence, throwing objects including eggs and bricks,” Chief Superintendent Neil Evans said.
“We understand that many of those involved were not from Oldham.
“Whoever is responsible, this behaviour will not be tolerated by [Greater Manchester Police], our partners or the people of Oldham.
“Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt and damage as only caused to vehicles.”
A video from the Muslim Defence League showed a counter-protester at the event saying he had travelled to Oldham from Halifax, in West Yorkshire.
Robinson claimed that a group of “over 100 Muslim thugs wearing masks and balaclavas...[armed with] bricks” was responsible for the violence.
Milkshakes have also been thrown at Nigel Farage and UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin in the days after one was thrown over Robinson.
Mr Benjamin has now had milkshakes thrown at him four times in the last week.
“It started off with milkshakes, then it became eggs, and now it’s bricks,” Robinson said on Monday.
The activist is bidding to be elected to the European Parliament as an independent representative for the UK’s North West region.