Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists in London

Verdict in London

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by Tommy Robinson, was found guilty in London of harassing two journalists in a way that caused them fear of violence. The Guardian reported that a jury at Southwark crown court reached the verdict after a week-long trial. The New York Times and The Guardian name different days for the verdict, one saying Wednesday and the other Monday. The judge overseeing the case has set sentencing for 16 December, and Robinson had denied the charges against him.

The charges and the trial

Both journalists worked for the Daily Mail at the time of the conduct. The Guardian said the charges covered only two of the three reporters who worked on an article about the 2024 Southport murders. According to that account, the trial heard that Daily Mail reporters and members of their families fled their homes after "bullyboy, intimidatory tactics" were used against them. Robinson had shared pictures of one journalist's family online and said he had "tagged and bagged" all three reporters. The Telegraph reported that he admitted hiring private investigators to put "pressure" on reporters, but he denied trying to intimidate them.

The 2024 riots and online posts

The charges date to August 2024, when a stabbing at a dance class in northwest England left three girls dead and eight other people hurt. Misinformation spread quickly online, including false claims that the attacker was a Muslim immigrant, although he was a British citizen born in Wales to Christian parents originally from Rwanda. Anti-immigration riots followed, and during them mosques and accommodation for asylum seekers were attacked while dozens of police officers were injured. Robinson posted repeatedly about the attack and the riots on Telegram and X, and he said the rioters were "justified in their anger". In one post he wrote:

“Get there and show your support. People need to rise up.”

Front-page story and sentencing

On 5 August 2024, the Daily Mail published a front-page story reporting that Robinson was posting messages from a luxury resort in Cyprus. The article ran with a photograph of him on a sun lounger, a photo of his ex-wife, and references to his children, who were travelling with him. The judge overseeing the case has set sentencing for 16 December.