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Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing Daily Mail journalists

Summarised from 9 outlets · 11 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 15:53 · Archive

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been convicted of harassing two Daily Mail journalists, causing them to fear violence.

Tommy Robinson, 43, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists. A jury at Southwark Crown Court returned guilty verdicts on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence after deliberating for 11 hours and 25 minutes, with a majority of 10 jurors to 2.

The case arose from Robinson's response to articles published by the Daily Mail and its sister publication Mail Online in August 2024. The articles reported that Robinson, described as a far-right activist and anti-migrant activist, had made social media posts about riots unfolding in England while on holiday in Cyprus. The riots followed the murders of three girls in Southport on 29 July 2024. The newspaper sent freelance journalist Andrew Young and a photographer to Cyprus to cover the story.

After the Mail Online published its article, Robinson posted criticisms on his X account of both Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, the Daily Mail editor involved in the piece. According to the court, Robinson went on to hire private investigators to find the home addresses of Young, Dirnhuber, and Ted Verity, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail. The jury accepted the prosecution's case that hiring detectives was designed to intimidate the journalists.

Robinson shared photographs of Dirnhuber outside his home and cropped images of Young's family on social media. One post featuring Dirnhuber attracted 4.8 million views on X. Robinson also sent direct messages to Dirnhuber saying 'I'll be knocking on your door' and 'Got ya' when a photo of him was posted. During a telephone call with Young on 5 August 2024, Robinson told the journalist 'I'm coming to get you'.

The harassment forced both journalists to either leave their homes or employ extra security due to fears of a vigilante attack. The prosecution described Robinson's actions as 'bully-boy, intimidatory tactics'. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said Robinson had 'weaponised social media and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence'.

Robinson denied the charges, claiming he had 'panicked' and felt 'scared' when the Daily Mail published its story. He told the jury the article had endangered his family by revealing their location. Robinson argued the journalists would have known he was not 'coming to beat them up', but the jury rejected this defence.

Robinson was granted bail ahead of sentencing on 16 December. Harassment causing fear of violence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, or up to 14 years if the offence is determined to be racially or religiously aggravated. Robinson showed little reaction as the verdicts were returned at court.

Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing Daily Mail journalists
Image: The Independent

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How it is being reported

In this story: Tommy Robinson · Stephen Yaxley-Lennon · Andrew Young · Jacob Dirnhuber · Daily Mail · Southwark Crown Court · Southport · Cyprus

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log