Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Politics
Tom Embury-Dennis

Tommy Robinson endorses Boris Johnson

Jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson appears to have endorsed Boris Johnson as Britain's prime minister. 

The operators of his official Telegram channel, "Tommy Robinson News", called for supporters to “back Boris”.

"It is refreshing to actually see someone have a pair and stand up for British democracy," the message reads. "21 Tory traitors decided to side with Corbyn and the Labour traitors and try and block the Brexit that the majority of people voted for.

"Boris sacked them which was good to see! Amber Rudd resigns - who gives a s***. We back Boris, now just get us out of the EU. Labour are crying that Boris is stealing democracy when in fact he is trying to do what the people voted for.

"The very same Labour traitors crying that democracy is being stolen are preventing a general election because they know that the people will vote Boris. #BackBoris". 

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed last month for contempt of court, over a video the anti-Islam activist broadcast on Facebook featuring defendants in a criminal trial.

The message of support for Mr Johnson came after far-right group the Democratic Football Lads Alliance (DFLA) staged a pro-Brexit rally in London over the weekend.

The demonstration in Parliament square, attended by around 200 people, saw an altercation with anti-Brexit protesters which led police to intervene.

It comes amid a crisis in parliament which has seen Mr Johnson rip up constitutional norms in an attempt to give him the freedom to push through a no-deal Brexit.

No 10's latest strategy, revealed by foreign secretary Dominic Raab, will see the government go to court to challenge an order from parliament to delay leaving the European Union (EU).  

The showdown in the Supreme Court, likely just days before the EU's 31 October Brexit deadline, is an attempt by ministers to avoid directly breaking the law when compelled to ask for a further Article 50 extension, while also sidestepping the requirement to comply with it.

Under the terms of the new law, Mr Johnson must request an extension to Brexit negotiations to the end of January next year unless he can secure a deal or parliamentary approval for no-deal by 19 October.

But Mr Johnson's “plan B” paves the way for an unprecedented political crisis after the 19 October date – with the threat of the prime minister being jailed for contempt of court.

With the deadline for crashing out on 31 October, it will be a race against time to force Mr Johnson to Brussels before Halloween, or to bring him down in a vote of no confidence and send a replacement.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.