Press release

Contempt of court proceedings to be brought against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon

The Attorney General has instituted contempt of court proceedings against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson).

Justice

The Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox QC MP, has concluded that it is in the public interest to bring contempt of court proceedings against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson).

The contempt of court case was referred to the Attorney late last year, by Nicholas Hilliard QC, the Recorder of London.

On 25th May 2018, Yaxley-Lennon, was found to be in contempt of court. However, he successfully applied to the Court of Appeal for the original finding against him to be quashed. The Attorney General has now considered the full case and decided that there are grounds to bring fresh contempt of court proceedings.

In deciding to refer the case to the High Court, the Attorney was acting independently of Government. He based his decision on an assessment of the evidence and whether it was in the wider public interest to institute proceedings. Commenting on his decision, the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox QC MP, said:

“After carefully considering the details of this case, I have concluded there are strong grounds to bring fresh contempt of court proceedings against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson).

As proceedings are now underway, it would not be appropriate to comment further and I remind everyone that it is an offence to comment on live court cases.”

Published 7 March 2019