Katie Hopkins has risked jail by sharing a video of Tommy Robinson taken inside the Old Bailey.

The former English Defence League (EDL) leader, 35, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was in court yesterday for the latest hearing on his contempt of court case, which was then adjourned.

Ezra Levant, Robinson’s former employer at the right-wing website Rebel Media, posted the footage inside the Old Bailey on social media.

Tommy Robinson pictured arriving for his hearing at the Old Bailey yesterday (Picture: PA)

He posted the video of Robinson going to a court window to wave at his supporters on his social media page.


It was then posted on Robinson’s official Facebook page and watched hundreds of thousands of times.

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Under Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act, it is illegal to take photographs or film inside courts or their precincts, as it is considered to be in contempt of court, with a maximum sentence of two years, or a fine.



Katie Hopkins then shared the clip on her twitter page, with the caption: ‘Hugest hugs to all the proud patriots turning out to protest Establishment over-reach & hounding of #TommyRobinson – good work capturing a brilliantly British moment.’

When BBC journalist Dominic Casciani tweeted that she had shared it, but he could not provide a link as that would hold him in contempt of court, she replied: ‘Threatened with contempt of court for posting this, my loyalty remains with the supporters who took time, effort & money to be outside the Old Bailey.

Katie Hopkins shared the video at least twice on her Twitter page (Picture: Neil Mockford/GC Images)

‘Sure, you can lock ME up. But we will not be silenced. #standstrong good people.

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City of London Police have confirmed they are conducting an investigation into the video.

A spokesperson said: ‘We have been made aware of a video on social media which appears to show filming taking place inside the Central Criminal Court and has been shared online.

‘We will be looking into whether any offences have been committed.’

Robinson was jailed in May for 13 months after allegedly committing contempt of court by filming people in a criminal trial and broadcasting footage on social media (Picture: PA)

He was released from prison on conditional bail after three leading judges quashed a finding made at Leeds Crown Court (Picture: PA)

Robinson was jailed in May for 13 months after allegedly committing contempt of court by filming people in a criminal trial and broadcasting footage on social media and allegedly endangering legal trials.

He was released from prison on conditional bail after three leading judges quashed a finding made at Leeds Crown Court.

He could face being sent back to jail if he is found to have been in contempt and the maximum sentence is two years imprisonment.

After his hearing was adjourned until October 23, Robinson told Sky News that he had not been aware on contempt of court laws at the time of the alleged offence, but said he has since received legal training.

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