Tommy Robinson welcomed by Trump administration in go to to Washington | EUROtoday

Tommy Robinson has been hosted by the Trump administration for a gathering on the US state division in Washington.

Posting on social media platform X, the far-right agitator, whose actual title is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, mentioned he was in America “making alliances and friendships”, including he had “had the privilege of an invite to the @StateDept”.

Robinson, who has convictions for utilizing a faux passport, stalking and contempt of courtroom, was pictured with Joe Rittenhouse, a senior adviser on the state division.

Mr Rittenhouse wrote on X: “Honored to have free speech warrior @TRobinsonNewEra at Department of State today. The World and the West is a better place when we fight for freedom of speech and no one has been on the front lines more than Tommy. Good to see you my friend!”

The go to seemed to be the newest instance of the Trump administration’s promotion of “free speech” in international locations the place it claimed politicians had stifled voices on-line.

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In December, it denied visas for 2 Britons campaigning towards misinformation on-line who US secretary of state Marco Rubio accused of serving to lead “organised efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetise, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose”.

Donald Trump has additionally been important of the UK over free speech points.

In response to at least one individual on X writing “this is not normal”, Robinson wrote: “It’s the new normal when America has an administration that believes in free speech, doesn’t mean they agree with everything I’ve ever said it they believe in my right to say it.”

The US go to comes six years after Robinson failed in an try to go to Washington to present a speech on Capitol Hill, after his visa was not granted in time.

Last Thursday, nevertheless, he posted a video of him in America, saying: “I’m in the United States of America, you see how happy I am? It’s been a long time coming, I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long.”

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It comes simply weeks after Robinson claimed to have left the UK for his security after being named in a so-called Islamic State publication that inspired others to commit violence towards him.

Last 12 months, Robinson organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London, attracting as much as 150,000 individuals, in what was throught to be the biggest nationalist occasion in a long time. At the occasion, Elon Musk, the proprietor of X, gave a speech through a video hyperlink.

Mr Musk had months earlier referred to as for the discharge of Robinson, who was serving a jail time period for repeating libellous claims towards Syrian refugee.

Robinson based the English Defence League in 2009, earlier than standing down 4 years later.

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman advised The National the Trump administration welcoming Robinson could be “deeply alarming”.

She mentioned: “When communities across the UK are facing rising levels of hate crime and far-right extremism, the idea that figures like Robinson are being treated as legitimate political actors by what are supposed to be our international allies, should concern us all.”