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Tommy Robinson has been invited give an address in Washington by members of US Congress

The 35-year-old English Defence League founder has been asked to visit the US by American think tank the Middle East Forum (MEF) and the right-wing David Horowitz Freedom Center.

The MEF said on its website that Republican Paul Gosar and six other members of Congress have invited Robinson to speak to the Conservative Opportunity Society in a closed-door event.

However it is not clear if Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, will be allowed to enter the country.

He is currently on bail after being charged with contempt of court and has a string of previous criminal convictions.

Earlier this week he was expected to face a hearing on claims he broke a reporting restriction by broadcasting on social media from outside Leeds Crown Court during a child sex ring trial.

However the judge said he was going to refer the case to the Attorney General.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said he would ask the Attorney General to give the case "his most urgent consideration" but the case was adjourned until a date not yet set.

Robinson was jailed for 13 months by the trial judge in Leeds earlier this year, but he was freed on appeal in August after the Court of Appeal quashed the contempt of court finding.