Tommy Robinson case: EDL founder denies encouraging violence in contempt hearing as supporters heckle and jeer outside

Updates from the Old Bailey

Tommy Robinson arrives at the Old Bailey for contempt of court hearing

Tommy Robinson denied encouraging violence against defendants in a grooming trial when he gave evidence during contempt of court proceedings.

The 36-year-old former leader of the English Defence League is accused of breaching reporting restrictions by livestreaming a video on Facebook while the jury in that case was considering its verdicts.

He was arrested while still filming and was jailed for 13 months in May 2018, only to be freed on appeal because the hearing was "fundamentally flawed".

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared at the Old Bailey for a new contempt hearing following an application by attorney general Geoffrey Cox.

Outside court around 200 supporters gathered around a makeshift stage in front of a double-decker bus, chanting his name and shouting "shame, shame" at journalists. The case is due to finish on Friday.

Follow updates from court as they happened in our liveblog below

Key Points

• Tommy Robinson denies encouraging violence
• Robinson gives real name before giving evidence
• EDL founder tells supporters: 'I have not broke any law'
• Attorney general claims Robinson 'seriously impeded course of justice'
• Robinson could be jailed for up to two years

[4 July 2019 16:02 · Peter Stubley]

Mr Caldecott says the attorney general cannot prove that Robinson's video led to one of the grooming trial defendants absconding.

The barrister said: "It is not possible to know what might have happened in this case... there is little doubt that the committal of Mr Yaxley-Lennon created a protest which plainly became a very substantial protest.

"One of the defendants did abscond but the attorney general cannot show or suggest it was because of the livestream."

[4 July 2019 16:14 · Peter Stubley]

The judges mercifully bring an end to the day's hearing.

Dame Victoria Sharp advises Robinson not to speak to anybody about the case overnight, as he may have to give further evidence in court tomorrow. He may, however, consult with his lawyers if they need further information.

[4 July 2019 16:27 · Peter Stubley]

The hearing continues tomorrow.

Meanwhile Robinson's supporters are still going strong outside the Old Bailey.

The makeshift stage has hosted a series of speakers during the day, from former Ukip leader Gerard Batten to Robinson's cousin Kevin Carroll.

Here's Press Association's take on the scene:

To the uninitiated, the gathering bore all the hallmarks of a tiny festival - flags representing Britain, the USA, Israel and Cornwall fluttered in the sun as it edged further and further over the crowd, while the large speaker belted out Oasis's Wonderwall and Emeli Sande's Read All About It.

Several clutched water bottles while others cracked out the Foster's, Stella Artois and Strongbow as the day wore on.

The largest cheers - other than for Robinson - were reserved for former MEP Mr Batten, who cautioned that his friend could be "murdered" were the High Court judges to decide to jail him, while Mr Carroll ended an impassioned defence of his cousin by leading a rendition of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.

Enthusiastic supporters cheered and waved, and - in the case of a man dressed as St George replete with chain mail - nodded.

All the while, an entrepreneur quietly meandered through the crowd selling pin badges from a cork board.

At lunchtime, as promised, Robinson emerged on stage again to thank his supporters before discussing future documentary projects.

One dissenting voice - who Robinson described as "a far-left agitator" - was swiftly escorted from the crowd, given a talking to by police and sent on his way. It was a rare moment of tension.

Several others in the crowd, reckoned to be about 300 in number by the time the afternoon session started, also left as Robinson made his way back into court.

Others stayed behind, among them a young woman who asked an aide to pass on to Robinson a box of Ferrero Rocher she had brought with her.

She was left disappointed.

[4 July 2019 16:51 · Peter Stubley]

That's it for now. Come back tomorrow for more updates from court.