Tommy Robinson: Police investigate street brawl in which protester 'had nose broken' after milkshake attack
'That milkshake could have been acid,' MEP candidate says after two counter-protesters taken to hospital with injuries
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Police are investigating a street brawl that broke out during Tommy Robinson’s campaign stop in Warrington, after a counter-protester said she had her nose broken.
Alice Edwards posted footage online showing Robinson’s supporters scuffling with anti-fascist demonstrators before she was punched by two men.
Ms Edwards, who also posted photographs showing her nose bleeding and swollen after the alleged attack, wrote: “This is what [Robinson’s] boys do when you speak out against fascism … get out of my city.”
Footage showed several people being punched and another protester falling to the ground in the brawl, as members of the public and mothers with pushchairs ran to safety.
Cheshire Constabulary said two people were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries and had since been discharged.
Police are investigating several incidents on Thursday in Warrington town centre, where Robinson was campaigning to become an independent MEP for northwest England.
The fight broke out after Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had a milkshake thrown over him for the second time in two days.
Robinson appeared to throw several punches at the man, who was held by supporters who have been helping the anti-Muslim activist’s European elections campaign.
The 36-year-old labelled the milkshake thrower a “young Muslim agitator” and accused him of pushing two other women.
Robinson claimed he was also attacked by two other people. Footage showed him being slapped by a crying woman, and shoved by a man who told him to “f*** off”.
“Officers are aware of a number of assaults which are believed to have taken place in the Bridge Street area between 3pm and 6pm on Thursday,” a spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary said.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
Robinson claimed he faced violent opposition in Warrington in a video to supporters, which did not include footage of the brawl or his response to the thrown milkshake.
“I’m trying to run as a member of the European Parliament, I have the right to do that. I should be protected by the law,” he said.
“That milkshake could have been acid, and at some point it will be. I genuinely believe that.”
Robinson appealed for donations to hire security staff and vowed to continue his electoral campaign ahead of the polls on 23 May.
Chief Inspector Simon Meegan appealed for witnesses to come forward, and for anyone with footage to pass it to police.
“We are aware there has been a lot of talk, videos and speculation about what happened on social media but we need to hear from people who were there at the time and witnessed what happened,” he said.
“This is a complex investigation, which involves a large number of people and we are treating this matter seriously and asking for the public’s help in tracing those responsible.
“We will not tolerate disorder or any level of violence in Warrington, whatever the motivation.”
Robinson also had a milkshake thrown at him while on the campaign trail in Bury on Wednesday.
Previously, in Salford, a woman was filmed accusing the anti-Islam activist of “spouting s***” over grooming gangs.
On Tuesday, Robinson had been ridiculed for posting a photograph online with Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes after the footballer said he did not know who he was.
As he launched his campaign at a barbecue in Wythenshawe last week, Robinson was warned by police that he may be breaking electoral law after offering attendees free food.
Robinson’s campaign comes amid a continuing legal case that could see him jailed for up to two years.
He is to appear at the High Court later this month accused of committing contempt of court, which he denies, with a Facebook Live broadcast that allegedly broke reporting restrictions on a grooming gang trial in Leeds.
Robinson was originally jailed for 13 months last May but was freed by the Court of Appeal in August over procedural failings.
If he is jailed again for a year or more, he will be ineligible to stand as an MEP under the Representation of the People Act.
Robinson will continue as an adviser to Ukip leader Gerard Batten, despite running against eight of the party’s candidates, a spokesperson for the party said.
He was prevented from becoming a Ukip member by rules barring former members of the English Defence League and British National Party.
Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 390092, give the details online or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.