English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson was pepper-sprayed by police as they arrested him at an antisemitism march in London.

Mr Robinson, 40, was detained by dozens of officers near the Royal Courts of Justice, from where the demonstration began on Sunday, after march organisers said he would not be welcome.

Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who was still in police custody on Sunday evening, uploaded a video on social media of his partially closed eyes after officers used the synthetic pepper spray.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “The arrested man resisted as officers attempted to put him in handcuffs. He was warned repeatedly before PAVA spray was used.

    • Echo Dot
      link
      fedilink
      English
      61 year ago

      I do enjoy how he must have spent time trying to come up with the most chav name possible, his supporters would probably react negatively to his real name which makes him sound like a trust fund kid.

      • HeartyBeast
        link
        fedilink
        11 year ago

        I imagine he workshopped it quite extensively and ran some sentiment analysis

        • Echo Dot
          link
          fedilink
          English
          51 year ago

          Analysis indicates that “Thomas” sounds too intellectual, you need a name that makes it sound like you’re getting into fights at the pub every night.

  • AutoTL;DRB
    link
    English
    21 year ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson was pepper-sprayed by police as they arrested him at an antisemitism march in London.

    Robinson was detained by dozens of officers near the Royal Courts of Justice, from where the demonstration began on Sunday, after march organisers said he would not be welcome.

    The 40 year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, uploaded a video on social media of his partially closed eyes after officers used the synthetic pepper spray.

    In an earlier statement, the force said organisers had “been clear about their concerns that the man’s attendance, and that of those who were likely to accompany him, would cause fear for other participants.

    As a result he was spoken to and warned on more than one occasion that his continued presence in the area was likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to others.

    The former EDL leader was previously seen among the crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during ceasefire protests held on Armistice Day.


    The original article contains 262 words, the summary contains 162 words. Saved 38%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!