LONDON – In a resounding victory for free speech, a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today tore apart a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) attempt to impose draconian bail conditions on Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, that would have barred him—and the entire nation—from posting online about his case in a way deemed prejudicial.
The judge, intensely skeptical of the CPS’s overreach, struck down the third condition, arguing it effectively curbed free speech for all. Represented by Crown Prosecutor Benjamin Holt, the government’s bid to silence discussion of Robinson’s trial was met with fierce resistance from his counsel, Alex Di Francesco, and ultimately defeated in a courtroom packed with supporters.
Judge Slams UK Government for ‘Nationwide’ Free Speech Gag in Tommy Robinson Trial
LONDON: In a resounding victory for free speech, a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today tore apart a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) attempt to impose draconian bail conditions on Stephen… pic.twitter.com/wpc0h8HBxr
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) June 6, 2025
Robinson, a polarizing figure and outspoken activist, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 5, to face two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against Daily Mail journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, stemming from alleged incidents between August 5 and 7, 2024.
Border Hawk, which has extensively covered Robinson’s battles against establishment overreach, was on the ground to witness this pivotal moment. The CPS’s proposed bail condition, which would have held Robinson accountable for third-party online posts about his case, was lambasted by the judge as an unprecedented assault on free expression.
“This would effectively silence not just the defendant but the entire nation,” the judge declared, ensuring the condition was rewritten to protect open discourse.
The charges against Robinson relate to his response to paparazzi who allegedly stalked his family during a holiday in Cyprus, photographing them and publishing images that they claim endangered their safety. In a twist of irony, while the media’s invasive tactics go unpunished, Robinson faces prosecution for turning the camera back on them.
This double standard echoes the tragic case of Princess Diana, whose 1997 death in a Paris car crash was partly attributed to relentless paparazzi pursuit. Yet, the CPS, led by Holt, seems intent on shielding the press while targeting Robinson, a pattern his supporters argue reflects a broader agenda to suppress dissent.
During the 20-minute hearing, Robinson pleaded not guilty to both charges and elected for a jury trial at a Crown Court, rejecting a magistrates’ hearing. His decision underscores his trust in a jury of peers over a single magistrate, a move Di Francesco defended as a stand for justice. Robinson was granted bail with two conditions: no direct or indirect contact with prosecution witnesses and a ban on leaving the U.K.
A pre-trial hearing is set for July 3, 2025, with the full trial to follow – scheduled for July 7, 2025 – at a Crown Court.
Outside the court, Robinson engaged with supporters and media, even turning cameras on an ITV cameraman to highlight the hypocrisy of journalistic practices.
Outside the court, we asked @TRobinsonNewEra what’s his message to the hundreds of people who came to show their support today.
This is what he had to say. pic.twitter.com/2MyJ4gX6OC— Voice Of Wales (@VoWalesOfficial) June 5, 2025
Border Hawk has consistently reported on Robinson’s struggles, from his activism to his legal battles, viewing them as a microcosm of the fight against a system that punishes truth-tellers while protecting the powerful.
Today’s courtroom triumph, driven by Di Francesco’s staunch defense and the judge’s commitment to free speech, reinforces why Robinson’s cause resonates with so many.
The CPS’s attempt to gag not just Robinson, but anyone discussing his case online, was a chilling overstep, and its rejection sends a powerful message: the right to speak freely will not be easily surrendered.
As Robinson left the court, supporters chanted his name, a testament to his enduring role as a lightning rod for those who feel silenced by the establishment.
Border Hawk remains committed to covering this case, delivering unfiltered updates as it progresses.
The fight for free speech, embodied in Robinson’s defiance, is far from over—but today, it scored a vital win.
This article was written by Border Hawk’s London-based contributor Preston Bates.
