Tommy Robinson announces support for Julian Assange after ‘talking to WikiLeaks founder in prison’

Anti-Islam activist claims pair spoke through a window at HMP Belmarsh

Home Affairs Correspondent

Monday 16 September 2019 21:51 BST

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Tommy Robinson is released from prison after 9 weeks

Tommy Robinson has announced his support for Julian Assange after being freed from prison.

The English Defence League founder claimed the pair spoke inside HMP Belmarsh, where he spent nine weeks for contempt of court.

In a message to followers on the encrypted Telegram messaging app, Robinson wrote: “As I lay in bed early on this Sunday night all I can think is FREE JULIAN ASSANGE.”

The anti-Islam activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was released on Friday but Assange remains imprisoned for breaching bail by fleeing to the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012.

The WikiLeaks founder was wanted for questioning over alleged sexual assault in Sweden, which he denies, and could also be extradited to the US on hacking and espionage charges.

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

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1/16Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

A Tommy Robinson supporter in London after former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson left the Old Bailey where his contempt of court case was adjourned

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

A Tommy Robinson supporter outside the Old Bailey in London where the former English Defence League (EDL) leader is accused of contempt of court

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson supporters outside the Old Bailey in London before former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson arrives accused of contempt of court

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson protest at the Old Bailey Courthouse

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or 'Tommy Robinson', who was jailed for contempt of court in May and later released, wait for him to arrive at the Old Bailey to attend a court hearing

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson arrives for his hearing at the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right spokeseman Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the right-wing EDL (English Defence League) wave flags as they demonstrate outsise The Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

EPA

Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

Robinson gestures to supporters from inside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

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Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey

EPA

Robinson, who characterises himself as an anti-sexual abuse campaigner, said he did not meet Assange in person because he was being held in an isolation unit due to safety concerns.

But in an interview with his former employer Rebel Media, Robinson said Assange’s room in a separate health ward overlooked an exercise yard he used.

He claimed they spent half an hour talking through a window, in one session shortly before his release.

The Independent understands that the layout of HMP Belmarsh makes such conversations possible, but none were formally witnessed or recorded by prison staff.

Some of Robinson’s supporters said they would write letters of support to Assange, after characterising both men as “political prisoners”.

Assange’s representatives could not immediately confirm Robinson’s account.

Since his release, Robinson has also announced his support for the prime minister, and said the 21 “purged” MPs “aren’t actually Conservatives”.

“I actually like Boris Johnson, I think he’s shown himself as a very strong leader,” he said. “The battle that’s commencing is Boris Johnson, Eton-educated, representing the people [over Brexit].”