Tommy Robinson released on bail following arrest on suspicion of assault

Tommy Robinson, a former English Defence League leader, has been released on bail after being detained on suspicion of assault.

Robinson, 37, was arrested after police were alerted to an incident at a retail park in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, on Thursday evening.

A 28-year-old man from Bedfordshire, a 43-year-old man from the West Midlands and a 47-year-old man from North Wales were also taken into custody for questioning.

Cumbria Police said on Saturday morning that the four men had all been released on bail and asked witnesses to come forward.

In a statement, it added: “Cumbria Police remains vigilant and firm in its resolve that hate crime is unacceptable and will always be dealt with robustly.”

Social media footage shows Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, filming himself and then police officers at a property in the Cumbrian town.

In the video, Robinson tells police he was spat on and “acted in self-defence”.

Although he lives in Luton, Robinson has taken two trips to Barrow in the last fortnight, claiming he is working as a journalist looking into rumours of an Asian “grooming gang” in the town.

However, Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, of Cumbria Police, last month said that the force had spent a year investigating the allegations and had not found any evidence to support the claims.

His comments came after graphic images of a teenage girl, who was alleged to have been sexually abused, were shared on social media.

Following the police investigation, a 19-year-old woman was charged with several counts of perverting the course of justice.

Last month, a member of her family told the Mail, the local newspaper, that they did not want Robinson involved, adding: “We are a peaceful family who condemns any form of racial hatred.”

In recent weeks, threats have been made on social media to a local newspaper reporter and to a number of Asian takeaways.

Additional reporting from PA