25 June 2024 , 09:00
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Brit far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson has been arrested in Canada on suspicion of immigration offences, with footage posted online showing the controversial English Defence League (EDL) founder being apprehended.
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was apprehended not long after giving a speech in the city of Calgary by two plain-clothes police officers. The video shows the shocked anti-Islam activist as he is handcuffed, with the two men heard telling him he was subject to "an outstanding immigration warrant".
He appears visibly rattled as he questions the cops on his arrest, attempting to maintain some composure as he asks "what about my stuff" before he is led away by a group of uniformed officers. He is then bundled into a car by the two plain clothes policemen, who repeat he is being arrested for an outstanding warrant.
The arrest followed a speech he had given as part of a tour around Canada. He has since been released, but had his passport taken. In a post on his social media account, he claimed he has been prevented from leaving Calgary, and would not be able to travel home.
He wrote: "Ok I’m FREE, well sort of. None of this makes sense. I’m now detained in Calgary, prevented from leaving the city, these conditions stop me from continuing my tour of Canada and meeting with guests for podcasts. I’m not even allowed to leave to travel home."
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According to right-wing Malaysian influencer Ian Miles-Cheong, the arrest was recorded by Yaxley-Lennon's team on his smartphone and later uploaded to social media. The 41-year-old had been booked to speak in three Canadian cities by an outlet called Rebel News.
Ezra Levant from Rebel News made appeals on X for donations to cover Robinson’s legal fees. In a follow up from the earlier video, Rebel News posted footage of Mr Levant meeting the activist at night as he was released from custody.
As he greets the man, Yaxley-Lennon can be heard saying he is "banned" from leaving Alberta and Calgary. He said: "The conditions are I have to give them my passport in the morning. I'm not allowed to leave Canada."