Tommy Robinson releases video of himself fighting with masked men outside McDonald's
Former EDL leader blames 'left-wing extremists' for attack at fast food chain branch in London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson has released footage of himself fighting with a gang of masked men outside a McDonald's.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said he was approached by the group at a branch of the fast food chain in London.
He did not specify what part of the capital he was in, but police later confirmed it was in the northern district of Harringay.
He claimed that he was attempting to report on what he described as an Antifa or anti-fascist "bootcamp” when he was approached.
He later posted video of the incident on his YouTube channel.
Wearing balaclavas, the group of men can be seen walking towards him with their faces covered.
Yaxley-Lennon asks them if they want to go “one on one” before a fight breaks out.
The 35-year-old, who now works for Canadian right-wing news outlet Rebel Media, then trades blows with the group. At one point he can be seen falling onto the floor.
One of the men also wrestles with his camera woman. Yaxley-Lennon later claimed that the men were “left-wing extremists”.
“We were getting the cameras ready in a nearby car park when six masked thugs showed up and attacked me and my camera crew, including my camerawoman Lucy.” he wrote online following the incident.
“This is typical of the gangs who call themselves 'anti' fascists. They proudly tout the values of socialism and tolerance while remaining completely intolerant of all those who have different political beliefs to them.
“They have shown today that they will even go to the lengths of physically attacking women - just for their beliefs.”
He added: “When the police come, they have already said straight away that they are not going to take this any further because we don’t know who they are”.
But Scotland Yard told The Independent that "enquiries continue" into the incident, although no arrests has been made.
"Officers attended and spoke with a 35-year-old man who alleged that he had been the victim of an assault," the force said. "He did not require hospital treatment."
The Luton-born founder of the EDL, which describes itself as a protest group opposing the spread of Islamism and Sharia law in the UK, left the organisation after talks with counter-extremism think tank Quilliam in 2013.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.