How the Tommy Robinson machine is manufacturing a new generation of media-savvy activists
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon’s racist alter-ego Tommy Robinson has been parading around the Old Bailey recently, legions of followers in tow. Ever since he was caught live-streaming outside of Leeds Crown Court in May this year his freedom has hung in the balance. He’s been whisked in and out of prison and could face more punishment.
This, for anyone else, would be something to dread. Not for Yaxley-Lennon. His former assistant, Lucy Brown, spoke out against him in the Times last August. She divulged that the donation figures from his loyal fans take a somersault whenever he nears trouble. She told Times journalist Andrew Gilligan:
“I thought genuinely that I was joining the side that told the truth and I’ve come to realise that it’s not. It’s just about getting [YouTube] views and retweets. This is a business and your outrage, valid as it is, will be monetised as such.”
Brown was Yaxley-Lennon’s protégé. She produced videos, organised events, and even got attacked by left-wing activists in a McDonald’s car park gor the cause. Her relationship with Yaxley-Lennon came to an end after a Muslim blogger was refused the microphone at a free speech rally on her…
