The UK Attorney General has decided it is in the public interest to bring fresh contempt of court proceedings against Tommy Robinson, the controversial founder of the far-right English Defence League.
Mr Robinson, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed in May last year for contempt of court after broadcasting details of an ongoing criminal trial at Leeds Crown Court.
The self-described independent activist won an appeal to have his sentence quashed, arguing that a judge at Leeds Crown Court had failed to follow the correct process.
The case was subsequently referred to the Attorney Geoffrey Cox by Nicholas Hilliard, the Recorder of London.
Mr Cox announced on Thursday: “After carefully considering the details of this case, I have concluded there are strong grounds to bring fresh contempt of court proceedings against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.”
“As proceedings are now under way, it would not be appropriate to comment further and I remind everyone that it is an offence to comment on live court cases.”
In a statement, his office added: “In deciding to refer the case to the High Court, the Attorney was acting independently of Government.”
“He based his decision on an assessment of the evidence and whether it was in the wider public interest to institute proceedings.”
