In a case drawing significant public attention, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—better known as far-right activist Tommy Robinson—arrived at Woolwich Crown Court for the first day of a two-day hearing concerning allegations of contempt of court.

Robinson stands accused of violating an injunction following a libel lawsuit filed by a Syrian refugee, a legal battle he lost.

The allegations center on Robinson’s persistent dissemination of a video featuring defamatory statements, showcased during a protest in Trafalgar Square this past July, as well as in various interviews conducted between February and June 2023.

Compounding his legal troubles, he has yet to fulfill the court’s orders to pay damages and legal costs to the claimant.

The court, notable for its tunnel leading directly to the high-security Belmarsh Prison, has become a focal point of tension, with Robinson’s supporters urged to rally outside the courthouse on Monday.

This backdrop of escalating support comes on the heels of Robinson surrendering to police last Friday, facing a separate charge for failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

This incident stems from his departure from the UK in July, which caused him to miss the original date for his contempt hearing.

As Robinson prepares for a subsequent court appearance regarding this charge on November 13, the atmosphere around him remains charged, illustrated by a large turnout of thousands at an anti-immigration protest in central London over the weekend—an event he actively encouraged.

The unfolding legal saga not only highlights Robinson’s controversial presence in British politics but also the deep divisions surrounding the issue of immigration in the UK today.

Agencies/Al Jazeera.