English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson was greeted by his supporters as he arrived at London’s Central Criminal court on Friday, where he is due to stand trial on contempt of court charges.
Robinson was seen taking pictures with people and giving autographs, as the crowd chanted in his support.
In May 2018, Robinson was sentenced to 13 months of jail for contempt after live-streaming outside a criminal trial, in violation of reporting restrictions, but the court of appeal quashed the finding, freeing Robinson after only two months of his sentence. The case was then referred to the attorney general, who stated that it was in the public interest to bring fresh proceedings. Robinson claims that the action against him is politically motivated.