Tommy Robinson Wants To Go 'Mainstream', Claims He Has Been Attacked Since Quitting EDL

'Since Quitting The EDL I've Been Attacked, But People Are Listening To What I'm Saying'

Ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson has revealed he wants to take his new cause "mainstream," in a new "united front against extremism."

The former far-right leader sensationally quit the group earlier this month, saying he can no longer control the extremist elements within the organisation.

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Now he claims, he has shaken "the far-right extremist tag" and people are ready to "listen to what we’re saying rather than ignore it and dismiss it."

"What I want to do is to take an opportunity to take this mainstream," he said in an interview with RT.

"These matters are too serious to be dismissed," he argued.

After the interviewer asked Tommy why his face was bruised, Tommy revealed that since leaving the organisation he has been attacked "by a hostile Muslim youth."

"Of course, I have been threatened by the people from genuine far-right," he added.

"I had been attacked by the far-right for 4 1/2 years, they believe I am a race traitor, and as you just said now people say I am a coward or a traitor."

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Stephen Lennon aka Tommy Robinson, leader of the English Defence League

At the time, furious EDL supporters reacted unhappily to the news of Tommy's departure:

The anti-extremism organisation Quilliam has claimed credit for Tommy's shock departure from the EDL, saying they hope "to help Tommy invest his energy and commitment in countering extremism of all kinds, supporting the efforts to bring along his former followers and encouraging his critique of Islamism as well as his concern with far-right extremism."

English Defence League
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The English Defence League (EDL) at a march in east London despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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The English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, at a march in east London despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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A member of the public watches the English Defence League (EDL) as they march in east London, the protest has gone ahead despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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English Defence League (EDL) march in east London, the protest has gone ahead despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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The English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, speaks at a march in east London that has gone ahead despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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Police lines near Tower Bridge in London as the English Defence League (EDL) march despite them losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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The English Defence League (EDL) march near Tower Bridge in London despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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The English Defence League (EDL) march near Tower Bridge in London despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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Members of the UAF gather during an English Defence League (EDL)march in east London that has gone ahead despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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Police hold back the English Defence League (EDL) march near Tower Bridge in London despite them losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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ALTERNATIVE CROPThe English Defence League (EDL) at a march in east London despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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Police detain a man as the English Defence League (EDL) march in east London that has gone ahead despite losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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Police hold back the English Defence League (EDL) march near Tower Bridge in London despite them losing a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate. (credit:PA)
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Members of the EDL lay a wreath during a march in Leeds, West Yorkshire. (credit:PA)
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A members of the EDL is led away by police after march in Leeds, West Yorkshire. (credit:PA)
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Members of the EDL clash with anti-fascist supporters after march in Leeds, West Yorkshire. (credit:PA)
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Members of the EDL clash with anti-fascist supporters after march in Leeds, West Yorkshire. (credit:PA)
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EDL demonstrators on Whitehall near to outside Downing Street, London. (credit:PA)
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Members of the English Defence League (EDL) pose for a photograph with EDL leader Tommy Robinson (3rd R) outside the Old Bailey, in London, on June 6, 2013. The EDL gathered outside the Old Bailey Thursday during the sentencing of six men who planned a terror attack on an EDL rally in 2012. The plot failed when the men arrived at the event two hours too late. Omar Mohammed Khan, Mohammed Hasseen, Anzal Hussain, Mohammed Saud, Zohaib Ahmed and Jewel Uddin were in court at the start of a two-day sentencing. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Members of the English Defence League (EDL) pose for a photograph with EDL leader Tommy Robinson (2nd R) outside the Old Bailey, in London, on June 6, 2013. The EDL gathered outside the Old Bailey Thursday during the sentencing of six men who planned a terror attack on an EDL rally in 2012. The plot failed when the men arrived at the event two hours too late. Omar Mohammed Khan, Mohammed Hasseen, Anzal Hussain, Mohammed Saud, Zohaib Ahmed and Jewel Uddin were in court at the start of a two-day sentencing. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson (right) with English Defence League supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson with supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson (centre) with EDL supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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English Defence League supporters secure flags to barriers outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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English Defence League supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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An English Defence League supporter outside the Old Bailey in central London, as six Islamic extremists are sentenced for plotting a deadly attack on an EDL rally. (credit:PA)
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File photo dated 06/06/13 of English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson (centre) with EDL supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London, as Robinson has admitted the far-right group the has "completely questionable" tactics. (credit:PA)
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WOOLWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Supporters of the EDL are shadowed by police officers on June 29, 2013 in Woolwich, England. Supporters of the English Defence League have gathered at the site where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed, to mark Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WOOLWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: A supporter of the EDL with a large tattoo on his back on June 29, 2013 in Woolwich, England. Supporters of the English Defence League have gathered at the site where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed, to mark Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: A close up view of joint EDL leader Tommy Robinson's legs as he walks down The Mall on June 29, 2013 in London, England. The leaders of the English Defence League, Tommy Robinson and co-leader Kevin Carroll planned to march from Hyde Park to Woolwich to raise money for a young girl fighting against neuroblastoma, but were arrested outside Aldgate East Tube Station. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WOOLWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: A supporter of the EDL gestures to the public on June 29, 2013 in Woolwich, England. Supporters of the English Defence League have gathered at the site where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed, to mark Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WOOLWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: A supporter of the EDL gestures to the media on June 29, 2013 in Woolwich, England. Supporters of the English Defence League have gathered at the site where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed, to mark Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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WOOLWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: A supporter of the EDL gestures to the public on June 29, 2013 in Woolwich, England. Supporters of the English Defence League have gathered at the site where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed, to mark Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-fascist supporters clash with police as they are moved on before the EDL march reaches Leeds City Square. (credit:PA)
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People gather before an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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An EDL member is attend by police during an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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A man holds a flag during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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People participate in an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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EDL members face up to the police during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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EDL members clash with the police during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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EDL membe vlash with the police during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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EDITORS NOTE GESTURES. People gather before an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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EDL members clash with the police during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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A EDL member receives first aid from the police after being injured during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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People participate in an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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A woman with an Algerian flag is removed by police as EDL members gather march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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An injured EDL member gives a victory sign during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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EDITORS NOTE GESTURES. People gather before an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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Riot police during an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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A man wearing an EDL polo shirt has his head bandaged during an EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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A EDL member receives first aid from the police after being injured during a EDL march at Centenary Square in Birmingham. (credit:PA)
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File photo dated 06/06/13 of English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson who has been charged at Westminster Magistrates' Court , along with co-leader Kevin Carroll, with obstructing police after allegedly trying to defy a ban on marching to the scene of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby via a major mosque. (credit:PA)