World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
Tommy Robinson denies harassing two journalists in trial
At Southwark Crown Court in London, Tommy Robinson's harassment trial has begun over two journalists from the Daily Mail and Mail Online.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, used posts on X and direct messages to target Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber in 2024.
They say he shared images of the journalists' homes with his online followers, and that supporters made threats.
The prosecution says Dirnhuber and his partner left their home, while Young and his family received protection after reports of people outside their house.
The case followed the Mail's coverage of Robinson's holiday in Cyprus after the 2024 Southport attacks, which prosecutors say he viewed as an unnecessary intrusion.
Robinson denies two charges of harassment causing fear of violence, and the judge told jurors the trial is not an assessment of his political views.
The trial is now under way, with prosecutors presenting their case to the jury.
Tommy Robinson denies two charges of harassment causing fear of violence against Daily Mail journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.
Prosecutors allege Robinson used online posts and messages to intimidate the journalists and expose them to threats.
The trial opened at Southwark Crown Court on 19 October 2026.
Prosecutors say the alleged campaign followed Daily Mail reporting on Robinson’s holiday in Cyprus after the 2024 Southport attacks.
The journalists and their families were reportedly frightened, and some had to leave home or receive security support.
- Who
- Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.
- What
- Robinson denies two charges of harassment causing fear of violence. Prosecutors allege he intimidated the journalists through posts, messages and other actions.
- When
- The alleged harassment took place in 2024. The trial opened on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Southwark Crown Court in London. The alleged events involved the journalists’ homes and Robinson’s holiday in Cyprus.
- Why
- Prosecutors say Robinson reacted to Daily Mail coverage of his holiday, which he perceived as an unnecessary intrusion.
The prosecution
Tommy Robinson
Alleged conduct
The prosecution
The prosecution says Robinson used intimidating tactics, circulated images of the journalists’ homes and exposed them to threats from followers.
Tommy Robinson
Robinson denies the two harassment charges.
Reason for the alleged actions
The prosecution
The prosecution says Robinson retaliated against coverage of his holiday after the Southport attacks.
Tommy Robinson
The sources report that Robinson perceived the coverage as an unnecessary intrusion into his holiday.
The Southport attacks took place, after which the Daily Mail reported on Robinson’s alleged role in encouraging violence.
Robinson was alleged to have telephoned Young and said he would visit his house.
Young returned from Cyprus and was told that a man had parked outside his home; a report was made to police.
Robinson entered not guilty pleas to the charges.
The trial opened at Southwark Crown Court.
- Defendant
- Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon
- Charges
- Two counts of harassment causing fear of violence
- Journalists
- Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber
- Court
- Southwark Crown Court
- Trial opened
- 19 October 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
This trial is about the defendant’s reaction to this, what he perceived to be, unnecessary intrusion into his holiday
The prosecution say this defendant, using bullyboy, intimidatory tactics, threatened the journalists.
This is not a trial about or an assessment of the defendant’s political views