Tommy Robinson has not been granted a visa in time to travel to America, where he had been set to meet with Republican politicians.

The English Defence League co-founder was due to travel to Washington this week at the invitation of the Middle East Forum.

But Daniel Pipes, president of the conservative Philadelphia-based organisation, said Robinson had not been granted a visa in time for the meeting.

Tommy Robinson, pictured outside the Old Bailey in October, was due to travel to Washington this week at the invitation of the Middle East Forum - but he has reportedly been denied a visa

Timeline of Tommy Robinson in prison May 25: Robinson is jailed for 13 months for contempt of court after Facebook Live protest outside a trial in Leeds May 27: Sentence sparks protests in London including outside Downing Street June 9: Free Tommy Robinson march in Whitehall turns violent with 21 police officers hurt when bottles are hurled July 18: Robinson launches appeal against his sentence August 1: Judges order his release and say he must face new hearing September 27: A new contempt of court case at the Old Bailey is adjourned after Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC asks for written submissions from all parties October 23: After considering submissions, judge says case is 'too complex' and evidence must be considered by Attorney General The Attorney General's office confirms it will look at the case and decide whether to stage a High Court hearing Advertisement

Mr Pipes said Robinson recently applied for a visa at the US Embassy in London but realised it 'will take a while' for him to be allowed into the country.

But Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, categorically denied his visa application had been rejected.

He told the Press Association reports about it were 'fake news' and hung up the phone without answering further questions.

Robinson is currently barred from the US after attempting to enter the country using a friend's passport in 2012, having been blocked from travelling under standard arrangements because of 'multiple criminal convictions, including several for violent conduct and assault as well as mortgage fraud'.

He gained a high profile in the US after right-wing websites took up his cause when he was jailed for 13 months for contempt of court.

The sentence was later quashed and the case has been referred to the Attorney General.

On Sunday The Middle East Forum wrote on its website that Robinson will speak at the event via video link, but did not say whether this was due to his visa not being approved.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, categorically denied his visa application had been rejected. He is pictured here outside Westminster Abbey earlier this month

The US Embassy in London said it could not comment on individual visa application due to privacy.

Travellers with criminal convictions applying to enter the US have to go through an adjudication process and could have their visa denied.

Robinson's planned tour of the US sparked more than 50 cross-party MPs to write to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging him not to permit Robinson to enter America for a fundraising tour.

The MPs asked Mr Pompeo to issue an assurance the US will not grant a waiver to allow Mr Robinson to accept invitations to speak in Washington DC on November 14.