Tommy Robinson stands to make more than £1m if he is allowed to travel to the US for a speaking tour next month, an anti-fascist campaign group has claimed.
The former EDL leader, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been invited to speak in Washington by Congress members. Robinson, who is on bail after being charged with contempt of court and has previous convictions, is waiting to find out if US authorities will grant him a visa to travel.
Senior researcher at Hope not Hate Joe Mulhall told the Guardian: “The inevitable media coverage that will surround the visit will no doubt lead to an increase in his already significant monthly donations from America.
“We believe that, should he be allowed to enter the US for this event, he stands to make in the range of £1m in donations with the potential for much more. America offers the opportunity for further large-scale investment in Lennon.”
The MEF said on its website that Republican Paul Gosar and six other members of Congress have invited Robinson to speak to the Conservative Opportunity Society in a closed-door event.
According to the Guardian, it donates $2m (£1.6m) annually to right-wing causes and has contributed to Robinson’s legal fees. Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders has received £90,000 before from David Horowitz, the newspaper reported.
Earlier this week, Robinson was expected to face a hearing on claims he broke a reporting restriction by broadcasting on social media from outside Leeds Crown Court during a child sex ring trial.
However the judge said he was going to refer the case to the Attorney General.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said he would ask the Attorney General to give the case "his most urgent consideration" but the case was adjourned until a date not yet set.
Robinson was jailed for 13 months by the trial judge in Leeds earlier this year, but he was freed on appeal in August after the Court of Appeal quashed the contempt of court finding.
