Ex-EDL Leader Tommy Robinson Recalled to Prison

EDL Supporters March Through Central London
Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images

Former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson has been recalled to prison.

A message to his 101,000 followers on Twitter said he was going back to HMP Peterborough, adding: “We aren’t sure yet for how long.”

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for 18 months in January last year for mortgage fraud. He was released on licence in June and his sentence is due to come to an end next week.

He will now likely serve the final days of his sentence behind bars, and The Mirror reports he may face new charges for breaching his terms.

This is the second time he has been recalled to jail. In October last year he was sent back to prison days before he was due to speak at the Oxford Union, but was later released again and spoke to the debating society in November.

He said on Twitter he would “tell all about police blackmail, persecution and bribery” once his licence expires.

Robinson led the EDL, which organised street protests against the Islamification of Britain, until quitting in October 2013. He worked for a while with the counter-extremist Quilliam Foundation but has since parted company with the group.

The Ministry of Justice has refused to comment on Robinson’s recall. A spokesperson said simply: “Offenders on Home Detention Curfew must comply with the conditions of their curfew or release licence. If they fail to do so, they can be immediately recalled to custody.”

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