<p>Whatever you might think of former English Defense League leader Tommy Robinson, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/05/26/right-wing-activist-tommy-robinson-reportedly-jailed-after-filming-outside-child-grooming-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/05/26/right-wing-activist-tommy-robinson-reportedly-jailed-after-filming-outside-child-grooming-trial.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1527706132544000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGTBmTjH4D0JiuTA9VUpxZ5OJE35w">his recent arrest</a> for filming outside a courthouse, subsequent trial without his choice of legal representation, and summary sentencing should stir outrage. Britain was the progenitor of the rule of law throughout much of the Western world. But that Britain seems to have been subsumed by a new, authoritarian Britain more concerned about protecting child rapists and grooming (sexual enslavement) gangs than preserving its own institutions or protecting innocent children.</p>
<p>Described by some as a patriot, others as a right-wing anti-Muslim, Robinson is no stranger to controversy. As co-founder of the English Defense League, he campaigns against Muslim immigration and what he sees as the Muslim takeover of British society.</p>
<p>Britain has been <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-grooming-gangs-1500-victims-investigation-police-national-crime-agency-pakistani-white-a8219971.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-grooming-gangs-1500-victims-investigation-police-national-crime-agency-pakistani-white-a8219971.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1527706132544000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH4sxuGCaA8y6OxoNIiBIkYTLT6aA">shaken by grooming-gang scandals</a> that have resulted in the rape and sexual exploitation of girls as young as eleven. In the vast majority of these cases, the gang members have been Muslims and the victims non-Muslims.</p>
<p>The grooming-gang scandals have exposed a breakdown in the British social and legal systems. The victims’ complaints against the gang members were dismissed by social workers, teachers and the police, leaving the girls vulnerable to their predators and feeling worthless. Not only were the victims not believed, but in some cases they were also laughed at.</p>
<p>The allegations against the grooming gangs have persisted for decades without so much as a response from adults in positions of authority to help the exploited girls.</p>
<p>The gangs are finally being brought to trial. Amid one such trial in the Leeds Crown Court, Tommy Robinson was doing what anyone in a free society should be able to do. He took pictures of the defendants going into the court.</p>
<p>For this, he was surrounded by police, arrested, hauled before a judge, denied his own counsel, and summarily sentenced to 13 months in jail. All of this took place in a matter of a day. The swiftness of the police response to Robinson’s filming contrasted painfully with the languorous response of the authorities to the victims’ cries over years for help and sympathy.</p>
<p>When a grooming trial is held, the extended family members of the defendants harass and threaten the victims and their families. At trial, victims and their family members need a security escort to go to the restrooms in order to be protected from harassment. Children as young as five are mobilized to throw stones at the victims and their families as they go to and from the court. Judges have dismissed the public from these trials at the request of the defendants.</p>
<p>News of Robinson’s arrest sparked <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5777821/Tommy-Robinson-far-right-supporters-protest-Downing-Street-arrest.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5777821/Tommy-Robinson-far-right-supporters-protest-Downing-Street-arrest.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1527706132544000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEcP-WWo7M6naFab7ES47swAwi6yw">thousands of demonstrators</a> to rally outside the prime minister’s residence, demanding Robinson’s release. Concerns have been raised that Robinson will be put in the general prison population with violent Muslims who will kill him.</p>
<p>The Crown’s handling of Robinson in the wake of its inaction in dealing with the accusations about the grooming gangs has become a public relations nightmare for the government. One need not agree with Tommy Robinson’s political views to defend his right to a fair and impartial trial, which includes his right to the counsel of his choice. Exacerbating this miscarriage of justice, the sentencing judge issued a gag order against the media divulging anything about Robinson’s trial and subsequent sentencing.</p>
<p>The gag order has infuriated those committed to a free and open press. As a consequence, the international media has stepped into the breach. Tommy Robinson is getting more publicity than if the gag order had not been issued. In addition, he is raising money on a web page that undoubtedly is drawing more hits than otherwise.</p>
<p>In its handling of Tommy Robinson, Britain is making the same mistake it made decades ago in censoring the Irish Republican Army. In the modern world, such censorship is not only impossible, it also evokes the time-worn suggestion that the truth is what you are not being told.</p>
<p>Tommy Robinson now appears to have been attempting to tell that truth. Credibility is his gain and the government’s loss.</p>
<p><strong><em>Abraham H. Miller is an emeritus professor of political science, University of Cincinnati, and a distinguished fellow with the Haym Salomon Center. Follow him @salomoncenter</em></strong></p>
<div></div>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

MILLER: Tommy Robinson And The Perversion Of British Justice

CONTINUE READING

News and Commentary

Great Britain

Islam

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News and Commentary —

MILLER: Tommy Robinson And The Perversion Of British Justice