EDL co-founder Tommy Robinson banned from Facebook and Instagram

Far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been suspended from both Facebook and Instagram.

In a statement, Facebook, who also own Instagram, said:

Tommy Robinson’s Facebook page has repeatedly broken these standards, posting material that uses dehumanising language and calls for violence targeted at Muslims. He has also behaved in ways that violate our policies around organised hate.

As a result, in accordance with our policies, we have removed Tommy Robinson’s official Facebook Page and Instagram profile. This is not a decision we take lightly, but individuals and organisations that attack others on the basis of who they are have no place on Facebook or Instagram.

Last year, the former English Defence League leader was banned from Twitter and online payment platform PayPal. Both companies accused him of hate speech. This prompted a large “free speech” protest in London.

Guardian journalist Alex Hern reports that the move came after Robinson was given a final written warning last month.

Pro-Corbyn campaign group Momentum called the move “a victory” for anti-fascists. Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson also welcomed the ban.

Some expressed surprise…

Others had little sympathy for the far-right campaigner.