Katie Hopkins told to delete selfie at Tommy Robinson trial after risking contempt of court
Katie Hopkins was at risk of being held in contempt of court this week after taking a selfie in the public gallery at Tommy Robinson's trial. The right-wing columnist was at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (April 23) in support of far-right activist, Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, whose case was dismissed after he'd faced a charge of refusing to comply with a dispersal order, which he denied.
Robinson was arrested at a march against anti-Semitism after organisers said he would not be welcome at the event. But the case was thrown out after a Met Police officer admitted putting the wrong date on the dispersal order, meaning it was not lawful. Surrounded by Robinson supporters, Hopkins took a front row seat in the public gallery and snapped a selfie. Under UK law, it is prohibited to take photographs, videos, or recordings within a court and, if charged, could lead to a fine, prison sentence or both.
Within seconds of taking the photograph, an usher appeared in front of Hopkins and requested that she leave the public gallery. Hopkins argued with the usher from her chair, claiming that she was not aware of the rule and that the court had not made it clear. She proceeded to ask for signs to be put up in the gallery, specifically in front of her chair.
Two signs were displayed in the public gallery, only a metre above Hopkins' head at standing eye level. After some discussion, the usher allowed Hopkins to stay on the condition that the photograph was deleted.
In an interview after the trial, Hopkins said: "So I think I may have been done for contempt of court there and of course that isn't helpful....but I also think that what we have to recognise is that, delays, delays, delays [in Tommy's court case] push back, frustration - it builds and sometimes people's behaviours, it's because of what's done to us.
"But I think we're all good, no contempt of court for me today. Um but I don't have any faith obviously in the law, I don't believe the law is the law. I believe the law is just a tool for control."
When asked what the law should be replaced with, Hopkins said: "I would like there to be a law but I would like there to be a law in black and white that is adhered to."
The Ministry of Justice was contacted but did not wish to provide a comment.
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