Fri 26 Apr 2019:
Tommy Robinson is standing as a member of the European Parliament, despite facing a prison sentence of up to two years in an ongoing court case.
The English Defence League founder says he is standing as an MEP for the north-west region of England.
“Put me right inside the EU and they won’t know what hit them,” he told supporters, claiming that he would “fight to preserve our national identity against Islamification” and cut immigration.
Robinson appeared to be standing as an independent candidate, despite being appointed as Ukip’s adviser on grooming gangs by leader Gerard Batten last year.
The anti-Islam activist, who has served prison sentences for crimes including fraud, was prevented from becoming a Ukip member by rules barring former members of the EDL and British National Party.
He announced his candidacy to followers on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, after being banned from mainstream social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Robinson originally said he would make the “biggest announcement to date” at a barbeque in Manchester on Thursday evening.
A housing trust that owns the estate said it had “explicitly declined the use of any of our land or assets for this event” but Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, told his supporters to “ignore” the statement.
“We have communicated this to Mr Robinson via Greater Manchester Police, to advise he has no permission to use our land,” the Wythenshawe Community Housing Group added.
His announcement coincided with the deadline for nominating candidates for the European elections, which are being unexpectedly fought by all mainstream UK parties after the departure from the EU was delayed until October at the earliest.
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