On Monday, Robinson was duly handed 18 months in prison for contempt of court. He had shown no remorse and there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation, said Mr Justice Johnson at Woolwich crown court. "All of his actions so far suggest that he regards himself as above the law."
In the dock, Robinson pumped his chest and saluted his loyal supporters in the public gallery. They blew kisses back. He was taken to Belmarsh high-security prison in south-east London.
The jailing of Robinson is the latest episode in his apparently inexorable rise from the owner of a tanning salon in Luton, Bedfordshire, to the brash pin-up hero of the far right in the UK, the US and beyond. He is now, arguably, the most potent individual to have emerged on the British far right since Enoch Powell.
Along the way, he has served four jail terms, and has now begun his fifth. None appear to have led him to reflect on and reconsider his actions; indeed, they have reinforced his image as a political martyr to the cause of rightwing extremism.
Robinson is a compl
ex and often contradictory figure, but "we should not underestimate him", said Nick Lowles, chief executive of the anti-racism campaign group, Hope Not Hate, who has watched him closely for years.
He is "massively charismatic" with "enormous reach", said Lowles. "He has an ability to bring huge crowds together on a level that we haven't seen previously. His videos are watched in the millions."
It was easy to see why Robinson, 41, had emerged as a high-profile leader of the far right, said Lowles. "Firstly, he is charismatic and instils a sense of loyalty and following. Secondly, he is willing to get stuck in. He's willing to go to prison, and he's the first one in a fight.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 02, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 02, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Lopetegui's job on the line if West Ham lose to Everton
West Ham will review Julen Lopetegui's position if they lose at home to Everton on Saturday.
Ancelotti rallies Madrid as limp defeats rattle fans
Milan loss serves as a sharp wake-up call for listless team, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé struggling
Calhanoglu spot-on as Arsenal fall to handball
Mikel Arteta's problems keep on mounting. In the week that they were rocked by the surprise resignation of sporting director Edu, Arsenal surrendered their unbeaten record in the Champions League after Hakan Calhanoglu kept up his record of never having missed a penalty for Inter to score the only goal of a tightly contested game.
Mings hands Brugge win as bizarre penalty proves costly for Villa
There was hardly a murmur as Emiliano Martinez took a short goal-kick five minutes into the second half and then, a few seconds later, huge cheers from those decked out in Club Brugge blue and black as the ramifications of Tyrone Mings's brain freeze dawned on them.
Liverpool ace tricky early tests under Slot
After demolishing an excellent Leverkusen side, Reds look like the real deal domestically and in Europe
Onana insists United will 'step up' for arrival of Amorim
André Onana has backed his Manchester United teammates to \"step up\" and adapt to Rúben Amorim's style after watching Sporting defeat Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.
Manchester City told to pay most of £11m wages owed to Mendy
Manchester City must pay their former defender Benjamin Mendy the majority of £11m in wages deducted from his pay packet when he was on rape and sexual assault charges, of which he was later acquitted, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Is this really all about Rodri? The reasons behind City's slump
Injuries have played a part in a run of three straight defeats for Guardiola's side but so have some surprising tactics
'You don't want people to think you are arrogant'
Rassie Erasmus believes his South Africa side are too often tarred as villains of the piece and deserve more love
Khelif to take legal action over leaks
Imane Khelif, the boxer who won Olympic gold amid a gender eligibility row, is taking legal action over media reports allegedly detailing her leaked medical records, the International Olympic Committee has said.