Looks like Tommy Robinson’s legal troubles are far from over. The controversial figure, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been ordered to pay £50,000 after previously serving an 18-month jail sentence for contempt of court.
The Price of Ignoring the Rules
The case stems from Robinson’s repeated breaches of a High Court injunction issued in 2021. This injunction barred him from spreading libellous claims about Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian refugee who made headlines after being assaulted at a Huddersfield school. Despite the clear order, Robinson continued to peddle false allegations against Hijazi.
In the latest twist, Mr Justice Johnson ruled that Robinson must pay £50,000 of the £80,350.52 legal costs sought by the Solicitor General. The judge was unsympathetic to Robinson’s claims of financial hardship and imprisonment, stating:
“I do not consider the applicant’s incarceration or claimed impecuniosity to be valid reasons not to make this order. If he doesn’t pay, enforcement might get tricky, but that’s not a reason to let him off the hook.”
A History of Libel and Lies
Back in 2021, Robinson was sued for libel by Hijazi, who had been falsely accused by Robinson of attacking girls at his school. The claims were baseless, and Robinson was ordered to pay £100,000 in damages. The case resulted in an injunction to stop him from repeating these falsehoods. However, Robinson’s disregard for the order landed him in legal hot water yet again.
From Courtroom to Cash Crunch
With the £50,000 fine due by January 7, 2025, Robinson’s legal woes show no signs of slowing down. His history of defying court orders and spreading false claims appears to be catching up with him. Whether he can scrape together the cash remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain—this saga is a costly reminder that the law doesn’t take libel lightly.
Perhaps next time, Robinson will think twice before hitting “post.” Or maybe not.#
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