Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (born 27 November 1982), known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson and also going by the names Andrew McMaster and Paul Harris, is the co-founder and former spokesman and leader of the English Defence League (EDL) "street protest" movement. He also founded the European Defence League, and for a short time in 2012 was joint party vice-chairman of the British Freedom Party. He led the EDL from 2009 until 8 October 2013, when he was persuaded to leave the organisation and discuss alternative ways of tackling extremism with the think tank Quilliam. He continues as an activist, and is now involved with the development of Pegida UK, a British chapter of the German-based Pegida organisation, presenting a stated purpose to counter the "Islamisation of our countries".

Background

Robinson was born Stephen Christopher Yaxley in Luton. Robinson told Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Radio Five live in 2010, “both of my parents were Irish immigrants to this country”. His mother, who worked at a local bakery, remarried when Stephen was still young; his stepfather, Thomas Lennon, worked at the local Vauxhall car plant.

Thomas Robinson may refer to:

Politicians

Sportsmen

Thomas Edward Robinson (11 February 1909 – 1982) was an English professional footballer born in Coalville, Leicestershire, who scored 37 goals in 121 appearances in the Football League playing as an inside left for Birmingham, Blackpool, Chesterfield, Lincoln City, Northampton Town, Gillingham and Walsall. After appearing in all four divisions of the Football League during the 1930s, he moved to Non League football with Tunbridge Wells Rangers. in 1938 then on to Nuneaton Borough. Robinson retired from the game during the Second World War.

References

Thomas Augustus "Tom" Robinson (March 16, 1938 – November 25, 2012) was a track and field athlete from the Bahamas, who competed in the sprint events. He was born in Nassau, New Providence. Thomas Robinson Stadium (15,000 seats) in the Bahamian capital Nassau is named for him since its construction in 1981.

Robinson represented his native country in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1956. At the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, he won gold in the 200 yards dash and silver in the 100 yards dash. He again won silver in the 100 yards in the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. He claimed a gold medal at the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games. Robinson was a contributor on the University of Michigan track team from 1958 to 1961, winning multiple team and individual Big 10 championships during his tenure. He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1985. He was a finalist in the 100 meters at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games but finished 8th due to injuries.