Trump Backers Seize On Case Of Jailed UK Far-right Activist

Supporters of US President Donald Trump are taking up the cause of an anti-Islam activist jailed in Britain for contempt of court, raising fears of a far-right revival.

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2018 ) :Supporters of US President Donald Trump are taking up the cause of an anti-Islam activist jailed in Britain for contempt of court, raising fears of a far-right revival.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known by his pseudonym Tommy Robinson, was imprisoned for 13 months earlier this year for live-streaming outside a court in breach of reporting restrictions around a trial.

Robinson is the founder of the English Defence League (EDL), a fringe group protesting perceived threats from Islamic extremism, and he has a string of convictions on charges including assault, fraud and drugs possession.

The name he uses is that of a well-known football hooligan.

Conspiracy theories about his case have spread wildly on social media, drawing particular attention in the United States among supporters of the so-called "alt-right".

The campaign spread further after Donald Trump Jr, the US president's son, retweeted a comment about Robinson.

Trump himself drew severe condemnation in November after retweeting three misleading anti-Muslim videos originally posted by Britain First, another far-right group.

Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, defended Robinson on London's LBC radio last week, reportedly describing him off-mic as "the backbone" of Britain.