Tommy Robinson ‘arrested’ under Covid regulations at Hyde Park protest

From LBC

Tommy Robinson is understood to have been arrested during a protest in central London.

The far-right activist – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was seen being detained by police at an event in Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon.

The maskless former English Defence League leader was filmed struggling in handcuffs as around 20 officers tried to clear a path to a police van through a shouting crowd.

In another video, the 37-year-old was shown visibly upset as he was being detained, shouting at officers “you’re breaking my arm” and “I haven’t done anything wrong”.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement to LBC: “Officers were policing an assembly at speakers corner, Hyde Park on Sunday, 1 November.

“At 14:44hrs a man aged in his 30’s was arrested under the coronavirus regulations for holding or being involved in the holding of the event. He has been taken to police custody.”

First – It wasn’t a protest. Even if it was, protests like Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion have been permitted so long as an illusion of social distancing has been maintained. But it wasn’t a protest; it was the usual Sunday afternoon attendance of speakers at Speakers Corner which has been permitted all spring and summer, as evidenced by Tim Dieppe’s report here of earlier problems experienced by Christian speaker Hatun Tash. 

Second – the report says that Tommy was “maskless”. A face covering is required (unless under age or exempt) on public transport or indoors. It is not required outdoors. Out doors it is optional. That the police choose to wear them outside is their chosen policy. 

Third – Tommy didn’t organise it. See 1 above. it was the usual Sunday afternoon attendance of speakers at Speakers Corner which has been permitted all spring and summer,

Fourth – why did the police originally tell Tommy that he had been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon? 

The contrast between Tommy’s speedy arrest, and Miss Tash’s previous arrests and the zealous policing of her listeners is a startling contrast to the leeway allowed the Muslim demonstrators outside the French Embassy on Friday who were only dispersed when they started to cause commotion and block the highway in Knightsbridge. 

The consistancy here is that on both occasions the Metropolitan Police enabled Muslim activity, while curtailing that of non-Muslims. And that is wrong. 

I have just heard that T0mmy wasn’t the only non-Muslim arrested and taken to Wandsworth Police station for ‘Breach of the Covid Act’. This is a godsend for the police looking for any excuse.