Police Tell Tommy Robinson To Stop Handing Out Burgers

26 April 2019, 11:59 | Updated: 30 April 2019, 12:31

The former EDL leader announced he would run as an independent candidate for the North West region.
The former EDL leader announced he would run as an independent candidate for the North West region. Picture: PA

Tommy Robinson was forced to stop handing out free burgers and hot dogs after police informed him it broke election law.

The EDL founder, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was holding an event in Wythenshawe, Manchester, where he announced he was planning to run as an independent candidate in upcoming European elections.

In an online manifesto, he claims he will represent " the working class of England," and fight "preserve our national identity against Islamification."

Yaxley-Lennon was offering free food to around 300 supporters from a catering van but was forced to stop after officers told him that he was violating electoral law by bribing voters, according to Sky News.  

Electoral law states that: "A person is guilty of treating if either before, during or after an election they directly or indirectly give or provide any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting."

The event went ahead, despite resistance from local politicians and religious leaders.

Local MP Mike Kane had said before the event that Yaxley-Lennon wasn't welcome in the area.

In an online statement the Labour MP, along with community leaders said: "Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, has organised an event in Wythenshawe. Together with leaders from across our community I would like to share this statement. Yaxley-Lennon’s far-right political views are not welcome in our town and our great city."

European elections will take place on May 23, unless Theresa May can get Parliament to agree on a Brexit divorce deal before then.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Lamduan Armitage in 2004

Man, 61, arrested over 2004 death of Thai woman found dead in stream in Yorkshire Dales

The man hit the waitress with a plate. Picture: Social media

Man arrested after Nando's worker slapped in face with plate by customer

A man uses a cash point machine outside a branch of Barclays...

Barclays customers facing third day of problems due to ongoing IT issue

President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office

Mexico and Canada hit back at Trump after President risks trade war by imposing string of tariffs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, shakes hands with U.S president-elect Donald Trump, left, before a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace, December 7, 2024 in Paris, France.

US wants Ukraine to hold elections after potential ceasefire with Russia, Trump envoy says

The plans were announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

Owning AI tech to create child sex abuse images to become criminal offence as reports of depraved pictures soar

A man and a woman have been arrested after two young children died in a crash in Essex on Saturday evening.

Man and woman arrested over death of young boy and girl after ‘hit and run’ crash

General view of a Barclays bank in Moorgate as reports state...

Barclays tells customers to go to friends, family or food banks after people left ‘homeless’ amid IT glitch

London, England, 1st Feb 2025.  Tens of thousands of the far right converged around Whitehall this weekend to protest against the incarceration of Tommy Robinson who has been in isolation in HMP Woodhill for over 13 weeks.

Six arrests made as thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters march through London

Trump says US airstrikes 'killed many' ISIS terrorists

'We will find you and we will kill you' - Trump says US airstrikes have 'killed many' ISIS terrorists hiding in caves

Four people died after a car crashed into a building in Colchester city centre.

Four people dead after car crashed into city centre building in ‘serious collision’ in Colchester

Kate is a royal patron of the Rugby Football Union while William, the Prince of Wales, is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

The Princess of Wales wishes England rugby team good luck ahead of opening Six Nations match against Ireland

The funeral for the Dublin-born former band member of pop group The Nolans - formed alongside her sisters - took place at St Paul's Church, Blackpool

Linda Nolan's funeral takes places as star is laid to rest in pink sparkly coffin surrounded by loved ones

TV chef Rick Stein has sympathy for Gregg Wallace

Rick Stein feels 'a bit sorry' for former Masterchef host Gregg Wallace following slew of misconduct allegations

No survivors expected after air ambulance crashes in Philadelphia

Seven dead after medical plane carrying sick child erupts into fireball and crashes into Philadelphia neighbourhood

Taxes are set to rise in line with inflation on Saturday.

Price of wine and spirits to increase while tax on draught pints to drop amid changes set to come into effect on Saturday