By PA News Media
Political activist Tommy Robinson left a voicemail for the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail saying he would “make you famous and your families”, a court heard.
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Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is on trial for allegedly harassing journalists Jacob Dirnhuber and Andrew Young, causing them fear of violence, in August 2024 after they worked on a story about him while he was on holiday in Cyprus.
On Tuesday, jurors trying the case at Southwark Crown Court were played a voicemail left on Ted Verity’s phone, which said: “If it’s legitimate journalism then expect me to come knocking,” adding: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.”
Mr Dirnhuber, an editor at the Daily Mail and MailOnline, said he feared being “intercepted” by a supporter of Robinson on his way to work, who may have been “hoping to cause me or my partner physical harm”.
Mr Young also said he feared the defendant’s followers would “seek revenge on me” following stories published about him being in Cyprus during unrest across the country after three girls were murdered in Southport.
Another Daily Mail journalist, George Odling, said in his witness statement that he, his wife and young child had to leave their home through a neighbour’s house because they feared being followed by Robinson’s supporters
The court previously heard Robinson used “bully-boy, intimidatory tactics” to frighten the journalists with a series of posts and direct messages on social media platform X.
Robinson, 43, who founded the English Defence League, entered not guilty pleas to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence in July last year.
The court heard the activist told police his hotel in Cyprus was “overrun with news crews” following stories published in the Daily Mail and MailOnline.
He is accused of harassing the journalists through X posts and direct messages, and an alleged telephone call on August 5 2024, in which he is accused of telling Mr Young he would visit his house, saying: “I’m coming to get you.”
One of the direct messages Robinson is accused of sending Mr Dirnhuber on X on the same day allegedly said: “I’ll be knocking at your door.”
As part of the evidence, the jurors heard the voicemail left on Mr Verity’s phone, in which Robinson said: “You’ve obviously destroyed my children’s holiday in the cost of thousands and I’ll give you an opportunity to sort it out because at the minute I’m looking at you and the other two journalists.