Nigel Farage says Reform UK cannot police its own members over Tommy Robinson

Nigel Farage has said Reform UK cannot police party members who support Tommy Robinson, even though he has distanced himself from the former English Defence League leader.

The party leader said "people have different opinions" and argued that liking a social media post did not make someone a "full-blown marcher" for a cause.

Robinson is facing up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of harassing two journalists and causing them to fear violence.

At a press conference, Mr Farage was asked how he felt about the conviction and whether he was "happy" for Reform members to support Robinson.

Mr Farage responded sarcastically: "Oh no, I think Reform members should be...I think we should brainwash them. We should indoctrinate them. We should tell them they can only like certain people.

"We’ll even give them recommended lists of books that they’re only prepared to read.

"We’ll make sure that cancel culture is enforced fully. Political correctness is brought in at all levels. Lee [Anderson], you’re kicked out as chairman. That’s all over."

But he added sincerely: "People have different opinions...most people, when it comes to news or characters or individuals, might see a social media message once a day or once a week and think, 'Yeah, I like that'. It doesn’t make them sort of full-blown marchers in support of their cause."

The Clacton MP added: "I knew there was a case going on, and if he’s been convicted of that, then it’s obviously very wrong, very wrong indeed.”

Mr Farage has consistently been opposed to allowing Robinson to join his political parties, describing him as "thuggish".

When asked previously whether Reform UK would accept support from Robinson, Mr Farage said: "We’re a political party aiming to win the next general election. He’s not what we need."

Last year, during a speech in Leicester, Reform UK Chairman Lee Anderson was met with pro-Tommy Robinson heckling from the audience, to which the Ashfield MP responded: "Shut up or get out".

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Robinson, who told his trial his full name is Stephen Lennon, was labelled a "bully" by prosecutors after freelance reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber felt forced to either leave their homes or employ extra security for fear of a "vigilante" attack.

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court took 11 hours and 25 minutes to find Robinson guilty by a majority of 10 jurors to two of both charges of harassment causing fear of violence.

Mr Justice Cavanagh has said he will consider "all options" when sentencing Robinson in December this year.

Robinson took to social media after the hearing to call the verdicts "insane".

A spokesman for the Daily Mail said: "We welcome today’s verdict and are pleased that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon has been found guilty of harassment causing fear of violence to two of our journalists.

"Yaxley-Lennon’s behaviour was reprehensible and had grave consequences for our reporters and their families.

"Through his actions, Yaxley-Lennon sought to undermine our right to hold him to account.

"We stand by our journalists and their freedom to report legitimately in the public interest."

Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division Frank Ferguson said: "Stephen Lennon weaponised social media and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence.

"The evidence in this case showed that he targeted the victims directly and indirectly through social media and by telephone. He also published images relating not only to them, but also their families.

"The jury heard from the victims and witnesses in this case, ultimately deciding that this behaviour crossed the line into criminality. Nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do."

Mr Justice Cavanagh thanked the jury for their work and told them they are welcome to attend the sentencing hearing on December 16.

Robinson was granted bail ahead of sentencing.