Tommy Robinson wrongly posts tweets saying Oxford Street chaos 'looks like another jihadi attack'
Tommy Robinson has been forced to delete tweets suggesting the Oxford Street panic looked like a terrorist attack carried out by jihadists.
The notorious right-wing speaker, who recently had his blue ‘verified’ tick removed by Twitter, was quick to jump to conclusions when a stampede shook the popular shopping street, saying it ‘looks like another jihad attack in London’ to his 387,000 follows.
As news around the incident developed quickly, the Metropolitan Police initially tweeted they were responding to the incident ‘as if it is terrorist related.’
Police called at 16:38 to a number of reports of shots fired on #OxfordStreet & underground at Oxford Circus tube station. Police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related. Armed and unarmed officers are on scene and dealing along with colleagues from @BTP
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 24, 2017
However, shortly after they tweeted again, saying they had ‘not yet’ found a trace of suspects, shots or casualties.
We have not located any trace of suspects, evidence of shots fired or casualties. Officers still on scene. If you are in a building stay there, if you are on the street in #OxfordStreet leave the area. Officers continue to search the area. More updates as soon as we have them
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 24, 2017
Despite receiving a barrage of criticism for his ill-judged tweets Robinson remained unrepentant, pointing out the ambiguity of the Met’s initial tweet and highlighting a tweet by Sky News’ Kay Burley that said: ‘Man with a gun in Oxford Street. Stay away from the area. Tune to @SkyNews NOW.’
Burley made no mention of Islamist terror at any point.
Everyone making a bigger deal about the fact I wrongly presumed because of reports that it was a jihadist attack than they are about how on edge & terrified the british public are because of Islam . People screaming & running in fear yet “Tommy’s tweet was wrong” is a bigger deal
— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) November 24, 2017
islamaphobia month, well 000's of people running for their life in Oxford circus because they mistook some noises as a jihad attack. looks to me like Islam has petrified the whole bloody country so you can stick your islamaphobia month!
— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) November 24, 2017
Robinson had his blue tick of ‘verification’ removed by Twitter earlier this month after the social media network said he violated its ‘hateful conduct policy’.
He was one of the recognisable voices on the far-right and so-called ‘alt right’ movements who had the badge removed.
The blue tickmark is used to denote ‘verified’ accounts, and has been seen as a badge of importance, the company said.
Twitter also removed the blue ticks from white nationalist Richard Spencer and far-right ‘journalist’ Laura Loomer.
Many figures on the far right decried the move, describing it as ‘cyber fascism’ and promising to move to other platforms.
What actually happened
Oxford Circus reopened after panicked passengers ran out of the station following reports of gunshots on the platform.
Police have stood down and said they have not found any evidence that shots were fired.
Armed police were initially called to the scene and people were seen screaming and running away from the area, according to witnesses.
BBC reporter Helen Bushby said she had seen a “mass stampede” of people running away from the station.
One woman sustained a minor injury when leaving Oxford Circus station, according to the British Transport Police.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘Our response on Oxford Street has now been stood down. If you sought shelter in a building please now leave, and follow the direction of police officers on the ground if you need assistance.
‘To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities. Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police in the area of Oxford Circus.’
‘Updates will be provided as soon as we have them.’