What we know after Tommy Robinson’s arrest in Canada

Tommy Robinson was arrested in Canada on suspicion of an immigration offense after making a speech in Calgary.

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, appeared to laugh in disbelief as police handcuffed him and escorted him to his car.

In a video recorded Monday by Rebel News, officers told the anti-Islam activist he was being arrested on an “invalid arrest warrant.”

Robinson, waving at the Canadian prime minister, said to the camera “fuck Justin Trudeau” as he was put in the backseat.

Another video, which Robinson appears to have secretly recorded in a police car, shows him arguing with two plainclothes officers who arrested him and demanding to know why he is being held.

Yahoo News explains what we know so far about Robinson’s arrest and the charges he may face.

What do we know

Robinson, 41, was arrested shortly after speaking at an event in Calgary on Monday, and could be heard saying “absolutely crazy” as officers led him away.

While travelling in the car, Robinson demanded more information and the officers informed him that his arrest had been ordered by the director of the Canada Border Services Agency.

Robinson can be heard telling the officers: “Isn’t it crazy that you’re being so hard on immigration for the wrong people?

“It’s a mentality thing. You act like a total spineless coward, as a country that lets every bloody, fucking Abdul or anyone else into their country – you know nothing about them, their criminal past or anything, or their ideologies, and then you come to me with the mafia for giving a lecture at a seminar.

One officer says it is “rather ironic” that Robinson talks about his criminal history, suggesting that he lied on his application to enter the country and said he had no criminal convictions. Robinson denies this and claims that his “boss” filled out the application on his behalf.

Robinson has since been released, but was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Canada. Posting an update on X on Tuesday at 8.15am UK time, the activist said: ‘Ok, I’m free, well, sort of.

“None of this makes sense. Now I’m stuck in Calgary, I can’t leave the city. These conditions prevent me from continuing my journey across Canada and meeting with my podcast guests. I’m not even allowed to go home.”

Robinson was booked to speak in three Canadian cities by Rebel News. The website’s owner and co-founder Ezra Levant appealed to X for donations to cover Robinson’s legal costs as he awaits trial.

Levant later wrote, “Rebel News has hired Alain Hepner, a leading criminal lawyer in Calgary, and we are working to have him released as soon as possible. He is currently handling the case.”

What we don’t know

It is unclear when Robinson will appear in court again or how long he will be banned from leaving Canada.

In an interview with Rebel News after his release from custody, he said that every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday he must report to authorities and inform them of the hotel or address where he is staying.

Given that he has not yet been found guilty of any immigration offenses, it is not yet clear whether he will be deported or barred from re-entering Canada, or face any other penalty.

Given the terms of his release, it is likely Robinson will not be able to participate in two other scheduled events in Edmonton on Tuesday and Toronto on June 30, but that has not yet been confirmed.

While officers appeared to give clues during the interview in the car as to what type of immigration offense Robinson committed, these have not yet been confirmed and the exact wording of the charges has not been released.

Authorities have not yet commented on the video, which was posted on social media as a secret recording. It is unclear whether Robinson will face any consequences for recording the video.

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