ANTI-fascist charity HOPE not hate has warned that a British far-right activist’s invitation to speak in the US could earn him around
£1 million, which it said would be used to organise demonstrations and division across the UK.
The warning came after right-wing members of the US Congress invited former English Defence League (EDL) head Tommy Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – to speak at two events next month.
One will be hosted by conservative think tank the Middle East Forum, the other by the right-wing David Horowitz Freedom Centre.
HOPE CEO, Nick Lowles, said they had been contacted by people who wondered how he could get into the States, given his conviction for entering the US illegally in 2012. Writing on the charity’s blog, Lowles said there were several reasons why Lennon might be able to speak in America: “It is believed that Lennon received a 10-year ban on re-entering the US following his 2013 conviction.
“However, the Trump administration has the ability to override these bans if they so wish, giving Lennon the possibility of getting in for his lucrative speaking engagement.”
Lowles said the activist had been invited by Paul Gosar and six other Republican members of Congress. Gosar, he said had flown to London to speak at one of the summer “free Tommy” demonstrations and it appeared the group had asked the US administration to lift the ban.
“Lennon’s trip is being sponsored by the Middle East Forum and the David Horowitz Freedom Centre, two leading anti-Muslim think tanks, both with very good political links to the Trump administration,” said Lowles. “They will be using their links and leverage to get Lennon’s ban lifted.
“The Trump administration has strong links to the self-defined ‘counter-jihad’ movement. There were early appointees like Steve Bannon, Mike Flynn and Sebastian Gorka.
“More recent appointments include national security advisor John Bolton, who has close links to Pamela Gellar, and the new chief of staff of the National Security Council, Fred Fleitz, who has a record of trafficking in virulent Muslim hatred ... This is an administration infected with anti-Muslim prejudice and is therefore likely to look more favourably on Lennon’s request to overturn his ban.”
Lowles said the Trump administration had shown its support for Lennon after his imprisonment for contempt.
This saw the UK ambassador to the US lobbied by Sam Brownback, Trump’s ambassador for religious freedoms, who demanded that the UK Government be more sympathetic towards the former EDL leader.
Brownback even warned British ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, that the Trump administration might publicly criticise the UK’s handling of the case.
At the same time, the president’s son, Donald Trump Jnr, personally tweeted a message of support for Lennon.
Lowles said much could depend on the UK Government’s response.
“While the US administration has shown little regard for international opinion and treaties, will they really side with a convicted criminal – someone who has already been caught entering the US illegally – over the wishes of the British Government?” he said.
“The question is though, will the British Government lobby for the US to block Lennon’s visa request?
“Getting them to do so might be our best way of preventing Lennon pushing his anti-Muslim agenda to a global audience.
“Stephen Lennon is increasingly confident of getting into the US next month.
“We all need to do what we can to prevent that from happening.”
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