‘Tommy Robinson’ banned from entering Australia

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had planned to go on a tour of the country

epa07145465 Far right activist, known as Tommy Robinson, (Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon) visits Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance ahead of Armistice Day in central London, Britain, 06 November 2018. Armistice Day is on 11 November.  EPA/ANDY RAIN
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The British far-right activist ‘Tommy Robinson’, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been banned from traveling to Australia for a speaking tour after he was denied a visa by the government.

He had been lined up to speak in five cities in the country, alongside other right-wingers such as Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and Milo Yiannopoulos.

However, the people behind the ‘Deplorables’ tour, which was due to start in Perth on Friday, said that Mr Robinson’s application had yet to be passed by the authorities.

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Mr McInnes has been refused entry to the country, while Mr Yiannopoulos is waiting to find out whether he will be allowed in to Australia.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs told The Independent newspaper that they wouldn’t comment on individual cases but “all non-citizens entering Australia must meet the character requirements set out in the Migration Act 1958 prior to the grant of any visa.”

“For visitors who may hold controversial views, any risk they may pose will be balanced against Australia’s well-established freedom of speech and freedom of beliefs, amongst other relevant considerations,” the statement added.

National requirements for visitors to the country demand that they have no substantial criminal record and that they show “good general behaviour”.

Mr Robinson founded the far-right English Defence League in the UK. He was jailed last year for breaking reporting restrictions when he live-blogged from sexual grooming trials, potentially jeopardising the verdicts.

He had planned a trip to Washington in November last year to address Republican members of Congress, but he was unable to get a visa for that trip.