Nigel Farage says Reform UK cannot police its own members over Tommy Robinson support
Nigel Farage says Reform UK cannot police its own members over Tommy Robinson support Robinson could face up to a decade in prison after being convicted of harassing two journalists and causing them to fear violence Sign up to the Politics Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.
Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Nigel Farage has said Reform UK cannot police party members who support Tommy Robinson, even though he has distanced himself from the former English Defence League leader. Mr Farage said "people have different opinions" and argued that liking a social media post did not make someone a "full-blown marcher" for a cause.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article frames Farage's stance as being about ordinary members liking social media posts. It sets this against his history of distancing himself from Robinson and Lee Anderson's "Shut up or get out". It never says that Farage made the same point about candidates, saying they would not be barred from standing for backing Robinson. It also omits that Reform had just selected a by-election candidate who calls himself a "big admirer" of Robinson. Without these facts a reader believes the party keeps Robinson's supporters away from its candidate list.
How we know
- Politico Europe reported“candidates for his Reform UK party won’t be prevented from standing if they like social media posts by far-right activist Tommy Robinson”Nigel Farage says Reform candidates won’t be banned for backing Tommy Robinson online (opens in a new tab)
- UnHerd reported“the party selected Darren Crandon as its candidate for the Risca East by-election in Wales next month, even though he has previously declared himself a “big admirer” of Robinson’s”Why Farage is changing his tune on Tommy Robinson (opens in a new tab)
Robinson is facing up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of harassing two journalists and causing them to fear violence. At a press conference, Mr Farage was asked how he felt about the conviction and whether he was "happy" for Reform members to support Robinson. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Mr Farage responded sarcastically: "Oh no, I think Reform members should be...I think we should brainwash them. We should indoctrinate them.
We should tell them they can only like certain people. "We’ll even give them recommended lists of books that they’re only prepared to read. "We’ll make sure that cancel culture is enforced fully. Political correctness is brought in at all levels. Lee [Anderson], you’re kicked out as chairman. That’s all over." But he added sincerely: "People have different opinions...most people, when it comes to news or characters or individuals, might see a social media message once a day or once a week and think, 'Yeah, I like that'.
It doesn’t make them sort of full-blown marchers in support of their cause." Tommy Robinson was convicted at Southwark Crown Court | PA The Clacton MP added: "I knew there was a case going on, and if he’s been convicted of that, then it’s obviously very wrong, very wrong indeed.” Mr Farage has consistently been opposed to allowing Robinson to join his political parties, describing him as "thuggish". When asked previously whether Reform UK would accept support from Robinson, Mr Farage said: "We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election.
He’s not what we need." Last year, during a speech in Leicester, Reform UK Chairman Lee Anderson was met with pro-Tommy Robinson heckling from the audience, to which the Ashfield MP responded: "Shut up or get out". LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing two journalists Tommy Robinson weeps in court during journalist harassment trial Tommy Robinson 'detained by police' at Heathrow airport under counter-terrorism laws Nigel Farage has distanced himself from the former EDL co-founder | REUTERS Robinson, who told his trial his full name is Stephen Lennon, was labelled a "bully" by prosecutors after freelance reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber felt forced to either leave their homes or employ extra security for fear of a "vigilante" attack.
Jurors at Southwark Crown Court took 11 hours and 25 minutes to find Robinson guilty by a majority of 10 jurors to two of both charges of harassment causing fear of violence. Mr Justice Cavanagh has said he will consider "all options" when sentencing Robinson in December this year. Robinson took to social media after the hearing to call the verdicts "insane". Tommy Robinson will be sentenced in December | PA A spokesman for the Daily Mail said: "We welcome today’s verdict and are pleased that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon has been found guilty of harassment causing fear of violence to two of our journalists.
"Yaxley-Lennon’s behaviour was reprehensible and had grave consequences for our reporters and their families. "Through his actions, Yaxley-Lennon sought to undermine our right to hold him to account. "We stand by our journalists and their freedom to report legitimately in the public interest." Tommy Robinson had previously cried in court during the trial | PA Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division Frank Ferguson said: "Stephen Lennon weaponised social media and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence.
"The evidence in this case showed that he targeted the victims directly and indirectly through social media and by telephone. He also published images relating not only to them, but also their families. "The jury heard from the victims and witnesses in this case, ultimately deciding that this behaviour crossed the line into criminality. Nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do." Mr Justice Cavanagh thanked the jury for their work and told them they are welcome to attend the sentencing hearing on December 16.
Robinson was granted bail ahead of sentencing. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Politics Andy Burnham set to burden John Healey with extra EU costs as Brussels summit risks breaking Budget Politics John Healey downs pint in Budget celebrations while pub-going Britons face ‘beer tax’ at boozers Politics Landline switchover could leave people cut off from help in emergencies, MPs warn Politics John Healey dodged the big issues facing Britain in a Budget lacking ambition Politics Andy Burnham accused of 'abandoning' Makerfield constituents as locals claim he 'lied to everybody' Politics WATCH IN FULL: John Healey sets out plan for Britain’s finances in first Budget statement Politics Andy Burnham rules out calling general election in next 12 months as Prime Minister says he is not thinking about Labour's 'prospects' Politics Nigel Farage skipped John Healey's Budget following 'physical altercation' with MP Politics John Healey doesn’t blame Brexit for sluggish UK growth – and Chancellor’s six biggest Budget announcements Politics Labour to use £150MILLION of taxpayers' money to 'fund additional large sites to accommodate asylum seekers' Politics WATCH: John Healey leaves No11 ahead of first Budget as Chancellor Politics Budget 2026 Live: Kemi Badenoch calls on John Healey to resign as Chancellor accused of 'making Britain less safe’ Politics Reform faces two by-election tests in Robert Jenrick's backyard in bid to demolish 'uniparty' vote Exclusive Politics British shopkeepers make last-ditch plea to John Healey amid existential threat from dodgy vape shops Politics Andy Burnham's Brexit U-turn sparks Cabinet civil war as PM undermines Shabana Mahmood again Politics Andy Burnham meets Muslim leaders and takes veiled swipe at Nigel Farage Politics Labour MP 'detained for eight hours' after being denied access to West Bank Politics 'He's wrong!'
Nigel Farage fumes at Andy Burnham over 'misleading' small boat Brexit blame game Politics Nigel Farage urges Restore voters to 'come back to us' amid poll drop and snap election fears Politics Andy Burnham ally labels PM's rejoin EU push 'hugely damaging' as Labour MPs revolt Exclusive Politics Revealed: Scotland set to go bankrupt if it votes for independence as seven 'killer blows' laid bare Politics Sadiq Khan joins migration revolt against Shabana Mahmood after PM undermines Home Secretary on small boats Politics Rachel Reeves referred to sleaze tsar over former Chancellor's 'secretive meetings with City firms' Politics Shabana Mahmood announces independent review into Henry Nowak's murder Politics Andy Burnham will have been in office for 100 days this week...
This is why he's not the man to fix Britain Politics WATCH: Richard Tice blasts Andy Burnham as Reform vows 60 job-creating policies to kickstart economy Politics Andy Burnham confirms rejoin EU dream as PM eyes up reversing Brexit pledge at next general election Politics Nigel Farage sets out why UK will NEVER vote to rejoin EU in scathing attack on Andy Burnham Politics Board of Deputies of British Jews passes motion declaring Zack Polanski's Greens a 'racist' party Politics SNP splurges eye-watering £27MILLION of taxpayers' money on 'zombie workers' who do not even exist
Read the original article on gbnews.com (opens in a new tab)