Protecting freedom of speech for Tommy Robinson’s supporters has cost police forces £200,000 in the past year, The Times can disclose.

Most of the bill falls on Scotland Yard and covers dealing with demonstrations by protesters demanding that the far-right activist be released from a 13-month prison sentence for jeopardising a sensitive jury trial.

Pamela Geller, an American hardline anti-Islam campaigner who has been banned from Britain, also told The Times that she had previously sent money to Robinson’s family when he was behind bars, the first admission that he has received financial aid from overseas.

The price of defending freedom of speech for Robinson, 35, former leader of the English Defence League, and his supporters was catalogued in response to Freedom of Information requests.