Tommy Robinson is set to stand trial in April over an allegation he flouted police orders to leave a protest march against antisemitism. The right wing activist was arrested last November when Metropolitan Police officers confronted him in a café opposite the Royal Courts of Justice during a day of demonstrations in central London.
The protest march had been organised to oppose rising instances of antisemitism following Israel's military offensive against Hamas. A police dispersal order – known as a section 35 direction – was made, it is said, instructing the 41-year-old – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - to leave the area around The Strand. It is alleged he refused to comply with police instructions and failed to leave the area, and was then detained and led away by a team of police officers.Lennon, the founder of English Defence League, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday to plead not guilty to the charge. District Judge Briony Clarke adjourned the case for a two-day trial on April 22 and 23.
