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Tommy Robinson wrongly posts tweets saying Oxford Street chaos 'looks like another jihadi attack'

Tommy was quick to jump to conclusions. (Getty)
Tommy was quick to jump to conclusions. (Getty)

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.’

However, shortly after they tweeted again, saying they had ‘not yet’ found a trace of suspects, shots or casualties.

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.

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.’