# Tommy Robinson

Tommy Robinson (pseudonym of Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon; born 27 November 1982) is a far-right activist and convicted criminal. He was the co-founder (and former leader) of the English Defence League (EDL), an anti-Muslim movement in the United Kingdom. In the 2019 European Parliament Elections, he ran as an independent candidate in the North East of England with both UKIP and the For Britain political parties stepping down in the region; he lost to the then newly formed Brexit Party.

## Quotes
### 2010–2011

* Phil Kemp: Are you non-violent then?
    Tommy Robinson: Yeah, we are non-violent.
    PK: So, when you just said when the mic was off that if there are Muslim extremists outside the university campus next year, that "you’d kick their heads in", do you stand by that?
    TR: I do personally stand by that [...] I'm not going to stand there and watch extremists recruit my youth in my town. Not any more.
   * From an interview for a BBC Radio 4 documentary (Report: Luton: A 'Hotbed of Extremism'?, recorded December 2010, broadcast 13 January 2011), as cited in Hannah Barnes "The truth about the grooming scandal", The New Statesman (8 January 2025).
   * Barnes was the producer and Kemp the presenter of the radio programme.
* Every single Muslim watching this... on 7/7 you got away with killing and maiming British citizens... you had better understand that we have built a network from one end of the country to the other end... and the Islamic community will feel the full force of the English Defence League if we see any of our British citizens killed, maimed, or hurt on British soil ever again.
** Speech in 2011, at a demo in London (Youtube video)
* We stand against extremism and we condemn all acts of violence but at the same time you have to give people in our community that are concerned about the threat of Islam, which is a genuine threat, you have to give them an opportunity to have a voice. I share the same fact that Islam is a threat but we completely condemn any acts of violence against innocent people. What has happened over there (Norway) is horrific and will be remembered for the rest of eternity as a disgusting, deranged attack.
** "Norway massacre: Police probe killer's links to UK", BBC News (26 July 2011)

### 2013

* Islam is not a religion of peace. Islam is fascist and it's violent and we've had enough! They're chopping our soldiers' heads off. This is Islam. That's what we've seen today. They've cut off one of our army's heads off on the streets of London. Our next generation are being taught through schools that Islam is a religion of peace. It's not. It never has been. What you saw today is Islam. Everyone's had enough. There has to be a reaction, for the government to listen, for the police to listen, to understand how angry this British public are.
** "Anti-Muslim reprisals after Woolwich attack", by Ben Quinn and Conal Urquhart, The Guardian (23 May 2013)
* Since last night I've had countless threats to cut my head off. I have [contacted] police over 200 death threats. No arrests.
** Tweet quoted in "Woolwich Beheading: EDL Leader Tommy Robinson Tweets Own Death Threats", Internation Business Times (23 May 2013)
* Non-Muslim working-class communities do not have a voice. It's not going to end pretty. There is a massive undercurrent of anger across this country.
** "English Defence League leader condemns attacks on Muslims", BBC News (11 June 2013)
* I'd stop the building of mosques in this country until Islam reforms in such a way and works in this country with Western democracy and freedom.
** "English Defence League leader condemns attacks on Muslims" BBC News (11 June 2013)
* We need strong leadership, not cowards who are begging petrol dollars and wanting a block Islamic vote. We need a leader not an appeaser. I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees. Stand up for what u believe. Never be intimidated by anyone #english #nosurrender.
** Tweet quoted in "Woolwich Beheading: EDL Leader Tommy Robinson Tweets Own Death Threats", Internation Business Times (23 May 2013)
* Nazism and Islamism are on the opposite sides of the same coin – we oppose both. Nazism has been defeated and Islamism is spreading across the country.
** (video) On BBC's Sunday Politics (16 June 2013)
* I have been considering this move [to leave EDL] for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive. I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas.
** "EDL leader Tommy Robinson quits group", BBC News (8 October 2013)
* I apologise for the fact that what I've represented and said has not resonated individually with Muslims. From day one in the English Defence League, we've wanted to embrace everyone: all colours and all creeds.
** "EDL leader Tommy Robinson quits group", BBC News (8 October 2013)
* There should be better regulation of mosques in the UK to curb the influence of preachers of hate and an end to Islamic immigration until the problem is solved
** "EDL leader Tommy Robinson quits group", BBC News (8 October 2013)
* Islam is not a religion of peace; it never has been and never will be.
** Tommy Robinson on The O'Reilly Factor (Fox News, 2013)

#### CBN News interview (November 2013)

    "UK's Tommy Robinson: Racist, Bigot, or Hero?", CBN News (November 2013)
* The last thing we want is a war in this country, but it is the inevitable outcome for the way the country is going. Now, the British people are not going to sit back and take much more.
* Previous prime ministers, be it William Gladstone who said, 'There will never be peace on this earth as long as we have the Koran, it's an accursed and violent book.' Then we have Winston Churchill who said, 'Islam in a man is like rabies in a dog.' And then we have David Cameron, who says Islam is a religion of peace. What's changed? Because the [Koran] hasn't changed.
* As a father, I have serious concerns about what life will be like for my kids, if I'm even here. Am I scared of the death threats, and people who want to kill me and the attacks against me, etc? Yeah, I am. Of course, I am. I wouldn't be human if I wasn't. But I am terrified for the entire next generation of this country, and its history, its culture, its identity – it's all under attack.

### 2014

* We need a new England where all religions and colours feel proud of our flag and recognise how important our identity and culture is.
** Interview with Jamie Bartlett, "'The guards don't run the prison, Islam does': my interview with a 'reformed' Tommy Robinson", The Telegraph (17 June 2014)
* I'm not going to incite hatred against anyone.
** "Protest at EDL founder Tommy Robinson's Oxford Union talk", BBC News (26 November 2014)

### 2015

* If Islam is this "religion of peace", why is everyone so scared?
** Commenting on the refusal of British newspapers to reprint the Charlie Hebdo cartoons — "Tommy Robinson Discusses Life Before and After the EDL", w/ NOTA (24 February 2015)
* We are offered silence, free speech is all but dead in Europe. We live in a post free speech era, the attacks on Charlie Hebdo have proven that to the whole world.
** "'Do not let Germany be dragged back to chaos and destruction': EDL founder Tommy Robinson speaks to 40,000 strong crowd at the Pegida anti-immigrant rally in Germany", Daily Mail (19 October 2015)
* I had some left wing fella ask me this, he started asking me my views on most things. I'm liberal in many senses, like when it comes to (probably not when I was younger) when it comes to gay people's rights I fight for a gay man's rights – so on all of these issues, as I've grown up, I said,... when people say that I'm far right, well what makes me right wing? Am I right wing just because I don't like Islam? Does that make me right wing just because I don't like a fascist ideology? If I didn't like scientology, does that make me right wing? No, it's an ideology. So I said like, "most of my views, they're very liberal – many of them would be left-wing".
** "Extreme Britain Part Two: Tommy Robinson Interview", UNION magazine (19 November 2015)

### 2017

* Islam is not up for reform or negotiation – so we have no other choice than to fight it.
** As quoted in Julia Ebner's The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist and Far-Right Extremism (30 September 2017)
* The reality is this is a war. These people are waging war on us. This has gone on for 1,400 years. This is nothing new. And the whole time while this goes on, the police leaders or political leaders want to invite more! They want to invite more!
** "Former EDL leader Tommy Robinson arrives at scene of London terror attack", The Telegraph (22 March 2017)
* No matter how [haram terrorists'] life has been, if they wanna get to heaven, they just have to kill non-Muslims in a holy jihad. That's all they have to do, then they get to heaven. It's like an easy "card out" for Muslims who've behaved badly their whole life. And we've seen this time and time again with the terrorists that we find. They say, "He wasn't a practicing Muslim". No, but because of the scripture in Islam, he genuinely believes he is going to eternal hell fire for the life that he's lived. He sees going and running down 20 or 40 people, and killing coppers, and killing innocent people, he sees that as a "get out" because of the scripture in Islam. That's why.
** "Tommy Robinson Interview on Westminster Terror Attack", YouTube (22 March 2017)

### 2018

* Do you know how many times I have gone into Bedford police station, I have gone into Kempston police station, to say here are comments to kill my family but nothing ever gets done. I have three kids, an innocent wife, my family are scared.
** Police probe threats made to EDL founder Tommy Robinson BBC News (25 January 2018)
* All the British media do is lie. I have a lot to say but nothing to you. I want to thank the British public for all their support.
** Tommy Robinson bailed after Court of Appeal win BBC News (1 August 2018)
* A moment like this makes it all worth while. Today I met real British heroes.
** Army investigates Tommy Robinson photo with soldiers BBC News (9 October 2018)
* The media are the enemy of the people. The government, police and social services are responsible for sacrificing a generation of our daughters at the hands of the multiculturalism altar.
** Tommy Robinson: Contempt case referred to attorney general BBC News (23 October 2018)

### 2019

* I guess it's ok to rape white women then?
** "Referring to a Rape Crisis poster promoting a helpline for ethnic minority victims", as quoted in "Rape charity gets abusive calls after Tommy Robinson post", BBC News (16 February 2019)
* I want us all to give him a message… I dare you to charge me again because I just want to see the scenes outside court.
** "Tommy Robinson holds Salford protest against BBC Panorama", BBC News (23 February 2019)
* So Theresa May has lost her vote. Many people will be asking what does that even mean. It means we were betrayed. Today is supposed to be our Independence Day.
** "Brexit: Protests held at Parliament over delay", BBC News (29 March 2019)

## Quotes about Tommy Robinson

* Tommy Robinson is not far-right... and does not have far-right views. He is someone who can give some information and research which is useful to me. We have always been a democratic, non-racist party. That has always been in our constitution and that is exactly the way we are going to keep it.
** Gerard Batten, "UKIP: Gerard Batten says Nigel Farage trying to 'discredit' party" BBC News (14 April 2019)
* Mr Batten’s obsession with Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (to use Tommy Robinson’s real name) and fixation with the issue of Islam makes Ukip unrecognisable to many of us. I believe he is entirely unsuitable to be involved in any political party. The fact is that his entourage includes violent criminals and ex-BNP members. Many Ukip members - including Ukip's NEC – urged that Robinson should not become an advisor to Batten. Sadly, these pleas fell on deaf ears. In the photo [published in The Sunday Telegraph a few dats earlier], Tommy Robinson can be seen seated beside Gerard Batten. Next to Robinson is a man called Daniel Thomas, a convicted armed kidnapper. There are other pretty unsavoury-looking characters dotted around the room.
** Nigel Farage "With a heavy heart, I am leaving Ukip. It is not the Brexit party our nation so badly needs", The Telegraph (4 December 2018). A version of this article was published on Nigel Farage's website (7 December 2018)
** Gerard Batten, then Ukip leader, had appointed Robinson as an advisor. Batten told BBC News: "I think he's [Robinson] a good person to have on side, a lot of people respect his stand on things and his courage."
* I made sure that extremists were never allowed into that party. [...] They then got a leader that thought Tommy Robinson was the great saviour of this country. Now, he might be a working class hero to some but I'm afraid the truth of it is he's an out of control yob. He's been in prison four times for four separate offences. When you get someone like that involved in a political party, their fortunes will literally fall off a cliff and I warned them, and I warned them, and I warned them.
** Nigel Farage, "Nigel Farage cheered as he talks Tommy Robinson, Boris Johnson and Brexit in Hull", Hull Live (16 June 2019)
* You knew perfectly well that you were not welcome in the United States. You knew that because you tried before and you had not got in, and you knew the reason for that - because, rightly or wrongly, the US authorities do not welcome people in their country who have convictions of the kind that you have. With that full knowledge, you equipped yourself with a passport. I am told that it was given you by way of a loan from your friend Andrew McMaster, to which you bore, I am told, some resemblance. And by use of that passport you did what you could to get into the United States. [...] What you did went absolutely to the heart of the immigration controls that the United States are entitled to have. Had it been known in this country that you were proposing to leave under a false passport, you would not have been accepted on to the plane and you would not have been permitted to leave this country on a false passport. It's not in any sense trivial.
** Judge Alistair McCreath, "EDL leader jailed for being illegal immigrant after entering US on friend's passport", The Telegraph (7 January 2013)
* In late October Lennon did a short livestream where he explained he was working on a long article unpacking the Ye situation where he would outline his thoughts on supposed Jewish influence. He has now published it on his Urban Scoop website. Titled 'Tommy's Statement: The Jewish Question', it is much more extreme than expected. While accepting that Ye used "imprecise" language about Jews, and at pains to say he was not talking about "all Jews", Lennon's long and rambling article is full of conspiratorial antisemitism about supposed Jewish influence. It opens with a long attack against the American-based Jewish organisation the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a favourite target of antisemites.
** Joe Mulhall "More extreme than ever: Tommy Robinson reveals his antisemitic views in latest online rant", Hope not Hate (6 November 2022)
* I was very struck by the fact that on the march against antisemitism, which Campaign Against Antisemitism organised and was attended by a large part of the Jewish community, there were only two arrests, one of which was at the request of the organisers when Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—Tommy Robinson—turned up. Far from being welcomed, as we heard in the previous evidence, he was rejected and the organisers got him arrested.
** Dave Rich of the Community Security Trust giving oral evidence at the Home Affairs Committee on the Policing of protests, HC 369 (6 December 2023).
** Referring to Robinson's arrest at the 26 November 2023 March Against Antisemitism on a Section 35 direction excluding a person from an area.
* 75 years ago, people all over Europe clandestinely listened to the BBC to hear the voice of Winston Churchill. His voice was the voice of liberty, the voice of courageous resistance against Nazi totalitarianism. Churchill, by the way, had no illusions about Islam, either. He said there exists "no stronger retrograde force in the world" than Islam and called Hitler's vile anti-Semitic book Mein Kampf a "new Koran of faith and war". I know a British citizen, today, who is as staunch a freedom fighter as Winston Churchill was, who holds the same opinion on Islam and is not afraid to say so. His name is Tommy Robinson. [...] Tommy embodies the hope of many, whose voices are not heard. [...] Tommy is a hero.
** Geert Wilders, "I am Coming to London to Protest for Tommy Robinson", Breitbart (2 June 2018)
* Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson) and supporters of of far-right extremist organisations like the English Defence League are not welcome at our community's events. Their message of hate and division must be confronted and defeated. We utterly reject their bigotry.
** Marie van der Zyl, then President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, as cited in "Board of Deputies President: 'Israel rally was an important moment for UK Jews'", Board of Deputies of British Jews (24 May 2021)
** A then recent pro-Israel demonstration in central London had been organised by the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland.

## External links

* Encyclopedic article on Tommy Robinson (activist) on Wikipedia