EDL leader Tommy Robinson threatens Nazi salute members with 'violent act'

 
Members of the English Defence League with EDL leader Tommy Robinson (3rd right) outside the Old Bailey in London. The EDL gathered outside the Old Bailey during the sentencing of six men who planned a terror attack on an EDL rally in 2012. The plot failed when the men arrived at the event two hours too late. Omar Mohammed Khan, Mohammed Hasseen, Anzal Hussain, Mohammed Saud, Zohaib Ahmed and Jewel Uddin were in court at the start of a two-day sentencing. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
12 June 2013

English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson today appeared to threaten violence against Far-Right thugs who did Nazi salutes — seconds after condemning all attacks.

He was given an early morning radio slot by the BBC to lay out EDL policies and even to argue that an attack on an Islamic community centre might have been committed by Muslims.

Mr Robinson said he “utterly condemned” any violent act by anybody including EDL members.

Pressed on whether he condemned EDL supporters making Nazi salutes, he added: “Well, I think if I was standing next to them there would be a violent act. If you... look into our history I was actually arrested for assaulting someone doing that at our demonstrations. I wouldn’t tolerate that.”

The broadcast came amid tensions in the wake of the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, with an increase in the number of attacks on mosques and Islamic centres.

Mr Robinson denied his group was to blame for an arson attack on an Islamic centre, which was daubed with the letters EDL, in Muswell Hill last week.

“It just seems ridiculous to me and I think everyone can see through it that that’s done to make it look like the English Defence League,” he said.

“If I’m honest, I’m completely sceptical that it is even non-Muslims that have done that.”

Asked if he would condemn attacks by his members on Muslims, he replied: “Utterly condemn it, disgraceful.”

Police minister Damian Green yesterday said that all MPs “abhor and reject” the attacks on religious institutions since the Woolwich atrocity.

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