Tommy Robinson case: EDL founder denies encouraging violence in contempt hearing as supporters heckle and jeer outside
Updates from the Old Bailey
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Tommy Robinson denied encouraging violence against defendants in a grooming trial when he gave evidence during contempt of court proceedings.
The 36-year-old former leader of the English Defence League is accused of breaching reporting restrictions by livestreaming a video on Facebook while the jury in that case was considering its verdicts.
He was arrested while still filming and was jailed for 13 months in May 2018, only to be freed on appeal because the hearing was "fundamentally flawed".
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared at the Old Bailey for a new contempt hearing following an application by attorney general Geoffrey Cox.
Outside court around 200 supporters gathered around a makeshift stage in front of a double-decker bus, chanting his name and shouting "shame, shame" at journalists. The case is due to finish on Friday.
Follow updates from court as they happened in our liveblog below
Robinson accepts he knew that the first trial had already taken place, and knew what the verdicts were, when he turned up at Leeds Crown Court to do his livestream video during the second trial.
Caldecott: "There was no media coverage of the first trial whatsoever, was there?", asks Mr Caldecott.
"It was confusing," replies Robinson.
Caldecott: "It must have occurred to you that the reason that the media was not reporting the first trial was that there was a reporting restriction."
Robinson says he didn't know, because the reporting restriction wasn't mentioned in the media.
He says he wasn't previously aware of the reporting restriction. "It's not beyond me to believe the media remained silent or were told to remain silent."
Robinson is asked about the hearing at Leeds when he was jailed for contempt of court.
He claims his lawyer advised him not to annoy the judge, and that he would be going home afterwards.
He says he believed there was a restriction on the verdicts and the details of the trial. He says he checked on the court website but there was no restriction listed, and there were no restrictions on the court door or TV screen.
"I have had training in contempt of court," he says. "Previously I made mistakes, I didn't know I couldn't take pictures or film in court... so I had training. I researched all the issues of contempt of court...
"I didn't report on the proceedings, I simply reported information that was in the public domain. I read the names on the news report."
Robinson accepts he knew many of the details of the second trial - because he was told by family members of the victims.
"I have been told details from various people from the start of it," he says. "I was getting details of when the jury had gone out."
Mr Caldecott suggests Robinson didn't go and check with the general office or reception about reporting restrictions because he wanted to make sure he filmed the defendants when they arrived at court, early in the morning.
He says the public should know the faces of people accused of grooming. "My purpose is to raise awareness of the issues".
Robinson says he is "gobsmacked" that the defendants had been on bail for two years.
Robinson says he made sure there was no risk by not reporting on the trial itself.
The court rises for lunch. He will continue to give evidence at 2pm.
The Oasis song Wonderwall has just been played to Robinson's supporters outside the court. Then a large cheer and the song "Oh Tommy Tommy" starts up again.
His supporters also shouted "shame on you" at journalists alongside the building.
Robinson is now addressing the crowd. "I feel like I've got an army behind me."
He says he "can't talk about proceedings" involving his case, before making further criticisms of the mainstream media.