Steve Bannon says 'Tommy Robinson is backbone of this country in rant at 'f****** liberal elite reporter'

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has reportedly described Tommy Robinson as “the backbone of this country” in a rant at a “f****** liberal elite reporter”.

Bannon was interviewed on LBC radio today by political editor Theo Usherwood and former Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

The former strategist to the US president said he did not think the former EDL leader was “a bad guy”and that he was a “solid guy” who should be released from prison.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is currently serving a 13 month prison sentence for contempt of court.

In response to Mr Bannon’s comments about Robinson, Mr Usherwood said: “But he broke the law,” to which the former Trump adviser responded: “It was highly technical… a lot of people would say that law is very restrictive.”

Mr Farage then moved the interview on, adding: “I take the view as well that Tommy broke the law.”

Mr Usherwood said that when the interview ended, Mr Bannon told him off-air: “F*** you. Don’t you f****** say you’re calling me out. You f****** liberal elite.

“Tommy Robinson is the backbone of this country.”

Robinson was locked up in May after he filmed people involved in a criminal trial and broadcast the footage on social media.

The footage, lasting around an hour, was watched 250,000 times within hours of being posted on Facebook.

He was given 10 months for contempt of court, which he admitted, and a further three months for breaching a previous suspended sentence.

The 35-year-old will make a bid to have his sentence cut at the Court of Appeal in London, where a hearing is expected to take place on July 24.