Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing two journalists

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been convicted today of harassing two journalists. Jurors at Southwark Crown Court took 11 hours and 25 minutes to find Robinson, 43, guilty by a majority of 10 jurors to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence. The trial heard how the anti-migrant activist “retaliated” after the Daily Mail and its sister publication the MailOnline published a story accusing him of “stoking riots from his sunbed” during unrest in the UK in August 2024 following the murders of three girls in Southport.

Robinson, who told his trial his full name is Stephen Lennon, made a series of posts on social media about the unfolding situation while on holiday in Cyprus, prompting the newspaper to send freelance reporter Andrew Young and a photographer to the island. After the MailOnline published its story about him, Robinson posted criticisms on his X account of Mr Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber because of their involvement in the article.

Robinson went on to hire private investigators to find the home addresses of his victims, as well as the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail Ted Verity, the court heard. The jury panel accepted the prosecution’s case that the decision to hire detectives was designed to “intimidate” his victims, with photographs of Mr Dirnhuber outside his home and cropped images of Mr Young’s family posted online by Robinson.

As well as social media posts and direct messages to Mr Dirnhuber, the defendant also became “increasingly menacing” on a telephone call with Mr Young on August 5, 2024, telling the freelance journalist: “I’m coming to get you”, the court heard. Jurors rejected claims from the activist that the Daily Mail had put his family in danger by publishing the story.

Prosecutor Ben Holt previously told the court Mr Young was given a close protection officer by the Daily Mail after photographs of his wife and children were posted on Robinson’s X account. Mr Dirnhuber had to move house because of the harassment and Daily Mail correspondent George Odling also felt the need to leave his family home after becoming concerned with the publicity surrounding his colleagues.

Mr Verity also provided evidence to police of a voicemail he received from Robinson, who told him: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.” Robinson was granted bail ahead of his sentencing on December 16.