Tommy Robinson claims he has been told to hand himself in to a police station where he expects to be arrested ahead of a planned far-right march for thousands of people in London.
Supporters of Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, are due to hold a demonstration on Saturday, which is expected to be met with a counter-protest from Stop the War campaigners.
The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are due to be supported by officers from other forces across the country as the Met said there will be a ‘significant police presence’ to ensure the two groups are kept apart.
Robinson, who has only recently returned to the UK after time away abroad since July, posted a video on X to say he was going to attend Folkestone police station at 3pm on Friday.
The reasons why the English Defence League founder has been told to surrender himself, an assertion made by Robinson but not confirmed by police, are unclear.
Earlier this week, Robinson posted a video in the arrivals lounge at Luton Airport where he said he was expecting to be arrested, but was instead able to walk through. Today, he claimed he will hand himself into police
Robinson originally left Britain on July 28, the day before he was due in the High Court for contempt of court proceedings. He returned to the UK this week
When contacted by MailOnline, Kent Police said there was no further update at this stage regarding Robinson’s status.
It follows his arrest in July at a port in Kent where he was accused of ‘frustration’ of police counter-terrorism powers.
At the time of his arrest, Kent Police said a 41-year-old man was detained by officers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.
Under schedule seven of the Terrorism Act, police are allowed to stop anyone passing through a UK port ‘to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism’.
The person who is detained can be held for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions and must provide the password or Pin for electronic devices.
If they refuse, they will be held to have committed a criminal offence.
Robinson said he objected to a request from police for the Pin to his phone because there was privileged information on the device relating to an ongoing High Court case.
Earlier this week, Robinson posted a video of himself in the arrivals lounge at Luton Airport where he expected to be arrested by waiting police officers, but was instead able to walk through to the exit without issue.
Robinson left Britain on July 28, the day before he was due in the High Court for contempt of court proceedings.
According to The Times, he had been staying in the Algarve in Portugal.
On Saturday, the protest organised by Robinson is due to march from Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest organised by Stand up to Racism will begin at Regent Street St James’s and finish at the north end of Whitehall.
Tommy Robinson has told his one million followers on X that he plans to attend Folkestone police station at 3pm today ahead of a planned march by his supporters tomorrow
The Met said static rallies are expected at the end of both marches.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the policing operation, said: ‘We are well prepared for what is set to be a busy day in the centre of London.
‘Our role is to ensure that those attending the various events can do so safely and that they can exercise their right to lawful protest.
‘We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum.
‘We know that when groups with opposing views come together it can lead to conflict and disorder, and a key part of our role is ensuring that does not happen.
‘We have used Public Order Act conditions to ensure that those involved stick to routes and assembly areas that are sufficiently far apart.
‘Officers will be monitoring closely to ensure that conditions are adhered to.’
Ms Williams continued: ‘The impact of frequent significant protest in central London is considerable, not least on the officers deployed to police them.
‘Many would be working in other frontline roles if they weren’t required for these events.
‘We’re grateful for the assistance of colleagues from other forces whose contribution means we are able to police protests while also keeping local communities across London safe.’
Security barriers have begun to be put up in Westminster around monuments and statues ahead of tomorrow’s planned far-right march
Thousands are expected to turn up for the march from Victoria station to Whitehall
Robinson is currently facing jail after he was issued with a contempt of court claim against him following the airing of a film at a protest in central London
Protesters outside Downing Street in London in July protesting the arrest of Robinson for the ‘frustration’ of a port stop at the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone
Robinson is currently facing jail after he was issued with a contempt of court claim against him following the airing of a film at a protest in central London.
He is alleged to have breached a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.
It is understood the airing of a film, titled Silenced, at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in July is one of six actions claimed to have breached the injunction between June and July this year.
The film is also pinned to the top of his X account.
Robinson, pictured here at the St George’s Day rally in April, told his one million X followers he was ‘coming home to unite the kingdom’
The political campaigner is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday for a two-day hearing in relation to the alleged contempt of court.
He was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country, with Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, telling the High Court that there ‘was nothing to prevent him from doing so’.
Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant for his arrest, but ordered that it not be carried out ‘until early October’ to allow Robinson time to indicate that he would attend the next hearing voluntarily or to apply to ‘set aside’ the warrant.
Robinson posted a video of himself arriving at Luton Airport on October 20 and said he was surprised he had not been arrested.
Demonstrators outside New Scotland Yard in London in July protesting the arrest of Robinson
The activist has applied to set aside the warrant and a ruling has not yet been made on the application.
Under the 2021 court order, Robinson was barred from repeating allegations he made against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi.
Mr Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.
After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case.
Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi £100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations he made against the then-teenager.