1. 5 updates

EDL leaders leave group

English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has left the group as he no longer wants to be the "public face for fascists".

Live updates

Robinson left EDL because of 'extremist vultures'

English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has claimed he quit the organisation because "extremists and racists" who he had "battled" to keep out of the group returned as soon as he was absent.

"The first demonstration I couldn't attend, which was back in February...and they were welcomed back," Mr Robinson told Daybreak.

He blamed regional organisers for allowing radical elements briefly back into the EDL.

Mr Robinson warned these were "more organised" fringe groups who, after expulsion from the EDL, joined together and "wait like vultures on the wings".

Ramadhan Foundation 'can't take Robinson's claim seriously'

Robinson 'won't be public face for fascists'

Former EDL leader Tommy Robinson has said he left the group to avoid having to represent the proportion of extremist supporters it contains.

Speaking in a press conference about the far-right fascist members of the EDL, Robinson said "Am I willing to be the public face for them? No I'm not."

Tommy Robinson maintains that he does not hate Muslims. Credit: PA

Asked whether he'd been forced out of the group because he'd failed to control its supporters, he said "if you look at the reaction from the English Defence League today they're devastated".

But Robinson insisted he would continue the debate about "Islamist ideologies", saying "the more you suppress a voice, the more extreme it will become."

Read: Ramadhan Foundation 'can't take EDL claim seriously'

Advertisement

Ramadhan Foundation 'can't take EDL claim seriously'

The chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation has said he is sceptical of the leaders of the English Defence League leaving the group:

I met Tommy Robinson last week and during that meeting he indicted that he was leaving the EDL because he couldn't control the extremist group, impact on his family and wider legal cases he faces.

At no stage did he reject his previous disgusting attacks on Islam and Muslims or apologise to the British people for the millions wasted policing their protests.

I cannot take Tommy Robinson or Kevin Carroll's announcement seriously until they reject their fascist views on Islam and Muslims and would caution other organisations celebrating this announcement as a massive personal achievement.

– Mohammed Shafiq, Ramadhan Foundation Chief Executive

English Defence League leaders 'quit group'

The anti-extremism organisation Quilliam claims it has helped English Defence League leaders Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll to leave the group.

English Defence leaders Kevin Carroll (left) and Tommy Robinson Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

A press release from Quilliam claims the pair have decided to leave the group because they "feel they can no longer keep extremist elements at bay".

It cites Tommy Robinson as saying: "I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive.

"I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas.”

Back to top