Tommy Robinson: 20 suspects charged with violent disorder at Oldham European elections rally
Police said ‘large scale disturbance’ broke out after group calling themselves Muslim Defence League reached supporters’ event
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Twenty people have been charged with violent disorder at a rally held by Tommy Robinson during his campaign to be elected to the European Parliament.
Violence broke out after a large group of men calling themselves the Muslim Defence League (MDL) converged on the event in Oldham on 18 May.
Police initially escorted the MDL demonstration, but disorder started after they arrived at the pro-Robinson rally at a park in Limeside.
Officers were pelted with bricks and eggs as they attempted to keep the two groups separate, with vehicles damaged.
The 20 suspects, aged between 16 and 39, have all been charged with violent disorder and will appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court in two hearings on Thursday and on 19 March.
Greater Manchester Police launched an operation codenamed Woodville into the “serious public disorder”.
It was one of several disturbances during Robinson’s election campaign, which saw the English Defence League founder “milkshaked” and fights break out between supporters and opponents.
Robinson, who ran to become an independent MEP for North West England, finished in eighth place with 2.2 per cent of votes.
Two months later, he was jailed for contempt of court for a second time over a video discussing grooming gang trials that were subject to reporting restrictions.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was released from prison in September and remains under licence conditions.
The charges were announced after Robinson was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a man at Center Parcs.
The 37-year-old was in the swimming pool at the Woburn Forest holiday park on Sunday when he allegedly confronted the man and punched him in the face.
In a message to followers, Robinson accused the man of inappropriate conduct and said he was also injured in the altercation. His alleged victim has not been arrested.
Robinson was released on police bail ahead of an appearance at Luton Magistrates’ Court on 2 April.
Those charged with violent disorder in Oldham, and appearing in court on 5 March, are Haroon Hussain, 39, of Halifax; Hadir Ali, 25, of Oldham; Mubasher Khan, 25, of Oldham; Atiq Urrehman, 25, of Crumpsall; Faraz Ahmed, 32, of Oldham; Majid Khan, 30, of Oldham; Salman Ahmed, 21, of Oldham; Mohammed Zeeshauan Khan, 21, of Oldham; Kamran Ali, 27, of Oldham; Abdul Nazir, 27, of Oldham; Rahim Ahmed, 25, of Oldham; and Amann Ul Haq, 19, of Oldham.
Appearing on 19 March are Mikail Ahmed, 21, of Oldham; Matthew Henry, 25, of Oldham; Dillan Simpson, 19, of Oldham; Jayden Mack, 18, of Oldham; Duane Coleman, 33, of Rochdale; Luke Tucker, 19, of Oldham; and two 16-year-old boys who cannot be named for legal reasons.