Nigel Farage has rejected Tommy Robinson’s support (Image: Getty)
Tommy Robinson is one of the most high profile far right political activists, and he is currently serving an 18 month prison term for contempt of court.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is an extremely divisive figure in the UK.
While the 42-year-old is hugely admired on the far-right, he also has a reputation as being violent and a convicted criminal.
“He has an ability to bring huge crowds together on a level that we haven’t seen previously”, said Nikk Lowles, chief executive of the anti-racism campaign group Hope not Hate.
But despite his following, there are four reasons that may explain why Mr Farage is steering clear of Robinson: He didn’t want him to join UKIP, His prison sentences for contempt of court, he is could harm Reform’s popularity, and the misconception in the US that he is in prison for exposing grooming gangs.
The political activist after the Solicitor General took legal action against him for breaching a High Court injunction made in 2021. Robinson has now been jailed for contempt of court four times.
The political activist was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October (Image: Getty)
Robinson, who founded the far-right English Defense League, admitted 10 breaches of the order, which barred him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.
In 2021, Robinson was sued for libel by Jamal Hijazi after the then-schoolboy was assaulted in a British school in October 2018.
After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims on Facebook, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case.
Robinson also previously spent time in Belmarsh prison when he was convicted of contempt of court.
This came after he broke reporting restrictions outside a court case that saw men later convicted of sexual abuse.
Born in Luton to an Irish mother and English father, he was first jailed in his early 20s for assaulting an off-duty police officer.
Robinson has been jailed for contempt of court four times (Image: Getty)
And now the highly controversial activist is at the centre of and ’s rift.
The pair who had admired each other on X met with each in December and were pictured beaming next to each other after a meeting at President-elect ‘s Mar-a-Lago estate in the US.
There were also talks that Mr Musk – the world’s richest man – could offer a donation to Reform UK.
However, this once close relationship appears to be lying in tatters with Mr as leader of the Reform Party.
The billionaire claimed that “Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”
In response, Mr Farage hit back saying: “Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree.
“My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”
Using his X platform, the close ally of US president-elect called for Robinson’s release from jail, suggesting he is a political prisoner who has been punished for telling the truth about grooming gangs.
Elon Musk (centre) and Nigel Farage (right) had enjoyed a good relationship it appeared (Image: PA)
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Mr Farage is remaning firm that he does not want Robinson to join Reform adding that he “never wanted Tommy Robinson to join UKIP”.
Speaking to broadcasters ahead of the start of Reform UK’s East Midlands Conference on Friday evening he said: “I don’t want him to join Reform UK, and he won’t be.”
Later on GB News, Mr Farage added that Mr Musk “sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs”.
“But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court,” he said.
Mr Farage added: “We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need.”
Farage added: “A lot of my American friends including a very senior Senator from Utah Mike Lee think Tommy Robinson is in prison for exposing grooming gangs.
“They are suffering under a misconception.
Pollster Luke Tryl, UK director of the More in Common think tank, said embracing Mr Robinson would be “anathema to electoral success” because of his divisiveness. In August, just 11% of British adults said they have a positive view of the political activist.
And Mr Farage has recognised this previously, saying in 2018 that he was “appalled” by his former party Ukip appointing him as an adviser.