Trial hears Tommy Robinson hired private detectives

Political activist Tommy Robinson has told a jury he hired private detectives to track down two Daily Mail journalists and take pictures of them, as he denies charges of harassment causing fear of violence.

The 43-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court in London. He denies two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. Prosecutors allege that posts on X, direct messages and phone calls made the two men fear the risk of vigilante attacks.

Robinson told the court he wanted to find the journalists to question them about a Daily Mail article published while he was on holiday with his family at a resort in Cyprus in early August 2024, during rioting in England. He said the article made it easy for people to work out where he was staying and that he had panicked, believing it would endanger his family.

The court heard he used a private detective to obtain telephone numbers and email addresses, phoned Mr Young to demand the removal of his ex-wife's picture from the publication, and asked investigators to try to get pictures of the journalists and their family members.

Mr Young said in a statement that Robinson told him on the phone: "I'm coming to get you." He said he hired private security after Robinson posted pictures of his wife on X. Mr Dirnhuber said he left his home for a week and feared a "vigilante attack."

Robinson denies wanting to expose the journalists to threats of violence. He denies both charges, and the trial continues.