Tommy Robinson: EDL founder formally released from bail by judge at Old Bailey
Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was no longer subject to any bail conditions
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Tommy Robinson has been formally released from bail.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC announced that the founder of the English Defence League – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was no longer subject to any bail conditions after referring his contempt of court case to the Attorney General.
In a brief hearing at the Old Bailey, the judge said: “This is simply to indicate in open court that now the matter has been referred to the Attorney General, Mr Yaxley-Lennon is no longer on bail to this court.
“As there is no bail, there are no bail conditions.”
Robinson was freed from prison in August after three leading judges quashed a contempt of court finding made at Leeds Crown Court.
But he could be sent back to jail if he is again found in contempt for filming people in a Huddersfield grooming trial in Leeds and broadcasting the footage on social media.
The court heard he denied breaching the Contempt of Court Act and making a broadcast likely to seriously prejudice the trial.
The announcement comes after reports that Robinson could make more than £1m from a potential trip to the US later this month.
He has been invited to speak at the US congress by a group of Republican politicians and is waiting waiting to see if US authorities will grant him a visa.
Judge Hilliard had referred the case to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC after receiving a document from Robinson last month.
He had said: “It is sufficient to say that the nature and extent of the controversies to be considered emerged to my eye more clearly than before.”
Had the case been heard by Judge Hilliard at the Old Bailey, witnesses, including Robinson, could not have been cross examined.
A large crowd of supporters had turned out to cheer on Robinson at his last appearance.
Afterwards, the Attorney General’s Office has said all the material was being looked at “afresh” before a decision was made on whether to refer Robinson to the High Court for contempt.