Tommy Robinson Speaks At Oxford University Union: Fear Has Paralysed The Police
Tommy Robinson Speaks At Oxford University
Lucy Sherriff— The Huffington Post UK
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Oxford Union
Tommy Robinson spoke at Oxford University on Wednesday night against a backdrop of protests over his appearance - and said he was unable to speak freely as he had been heavily censored by police.
The co-founder and former leader of the English Defence League explained the talk he would be giving to the Oxford Union "was not the one I wanted to give".
Four days prior to his appearance, the 31-year-old had been handed a list by probation officers detailing topics he could not speak about, and which would land him back in prison if he failed to cooperate.
Speaking for an hour to around 250 students, he discussed his anger at the refusal to report criminal activity or prosecute criminals for fear of being labelled racist or Islamophobic.
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Robinson says he was censored by police
"The debate has been stifled for too long. Fear paralysed Rotherham’s police force, the media and the politicians. The police facilitated the rape of children for 20 years because they were afraid of being called racist.
"We have a two-tier police force that treats crimes within the muslim community differently.
"Fear has paralysed the police...If the police can take away my freedoms, they can do it to you."
Robinson also accused the maximum security Woodhill prison of being "an ISIS training camp", saying radicals were "running the wings".
The controversial figure was previously due to speak at the Union in October, but couldn't as he had been recalled to prison.
Around 20 protesters shouted abuse at students as they arrived to hear Robinson speak.
EDL's Tommy Robinson Quits: 10 Moments in Power
Tulisa 'Driven From Home' By Tommy Robinson(01 of10)
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Tulisa was reportedly "too scared" to stay in her house after she repeatedly spotted the leader of the EDL filming with a cameraman in a car outside her home.The pop star and former X Factor judge was so worried by the actions of Robinson at her £6 million Hertfordshire mansion that she called police, the Sunday People reported in September this year.Robinson was questioned and searched though no arrests were made. (credit:Getty Images)
Tommy Tells Girl On Twitter 'You're Pretty Fit For A Muslim'(02 of10)
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The leader of the far-right group came under fire after racially abusing a girl who told him she was 15-years-old on Twitter.Tommy Robinsontold Twitter user 'Asianish' "You're pretty fit for a Muslim". Defending herself, she wrote back "I'm 15 and you've got the cheek to call Muslims paedos."He also accused Twitter of "#creepingsharia" for having a mosque on its homepage. It's a picture of the Taj Mahal. And it led to this hilarious Twitter movement..
Selfridges Criticised For Giving Tommy A Free Steak Dinner (03 of10)
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Selfridges was criticised for giving Robinson a free steak dinner by way of apology after one of their sales assistants refused to serve him in September. The English Defence League leader was allegedly told to “f*** off” on Monday, whilst visiting the London retailer's flagship store with a friend to buy a pair of jeans.Robinson, who filmed the incident, challenged the assistant, saying: "You won’t serve my friend because he’s friends with me... and I’m in the EDL." The assistant can be heard replying: "You can put me on the camera all you want mate, but I’m not serving you," before walking off.
Tommy Accused Of 'Stalkerish And Bizarre' Behaviour (04 of10)
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Just a week before he quit as EDL leader, Tommy was accused of "stalkerish and bizarre" behaviour by an anti-English Defence League campaign group.The website edlnews.co.uk accused the EDL leader of embarking on "a wild goose chase" in an attempt to track down and "have a chat" with their editor.He then posted a series of increasingly worrying images on Twitter.
Tommy's Criminal Record(05 of10)
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Be it drug offences or assault, the EDL has a colourful record to say the least. Tommy has been arrested at multiple EDL demos, most recently for allegedly obstructing police after attempting to do a charity walk dedicated to the death of soldier Lee Rigby. Among other convictions, he has also pleaded guilty to using someone else's passport to travel to the US and served a twelve-month prison sentence for assaulting an off-duty police officer who had intervened to stop a domestic incident between him and his partner Jenna Vowles.
EDL Leader 'Thrown Out Of Casino'(06 of10)
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Not only was the EDL leader and a friend allegedly refused service in Selfridges, but he was also apparently told to leave a casino due to his links to the right-wing group.Consequently, Robinson was questioned on Twitter as to how he can afford to shop in upmarket department stores and visit casinos while simultaneously asking for donations to the 'EDL Legal Fund'.
'Aggressive' BBC Interview Sparks Complaints(07 of10)
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A TV interview with the leader of the English Defence League prompted complaints to the BBC - because some viewers grumbled that Andrew Neil was "too aggressive".Robinson, who has convictions for violence, appeared on BBC1 weekend show Sunday Politics. In a message on the BBC complaints website, the programme team accepted some viewers may have found it "frustrating" that both Neil and Robinson had talked over each other towards the end of the slot.
Tommy's YouTube Rants(08 of10)
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It's difficult to pick just one video, but after a rally in Walthamstow, north-east London was thrown into disarray by Unite Against Fascism, the EDL leader released a series of particularly explosive clips on YouTube.During a range of soliloquies varying from impassioned and hushed, to swearing at the camera in fury, Tommy revealed the pressure he is under from all sides, and arguably revealed the first cracks in his tumultuous group, stating he lives in constant fear for his life.
Tommy Robinson and Fox News: The Perfect Pairing?(09 of10)
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Fox and Friends host Brian Kilmeade saluted Tommy Robinson with the friendly statement: "We've got your back".The English Defence League leader was doing "great work", according to the Fox News presenter.As the interview closed, after Robinson described a "takeover" of Sharia law in Britain and said police treated Muslims like "a master race", presenter Brian Kilmeade voiced hearty approval of Robinson's sentiments.Robinson had also previously appeared on Bill O'Reilly's show on Fox News.
Help For Heroes Reject Tommy's Funds(10 of10)
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The Help for Heroes charity said it would not accept any funds raised from a sponsored walk by the leader of the English Defence League in May.Tommy had planned to walk "just over 17 miles" from Westminster to Woolwich in London in June to raise money for the servicemen's charity.Robinson branded the decision as "political correctness gone mad."