Donald Trump’s former chief strategist has likened Tommy Robinson to outspoken US rapper Kanye West, while saying he is ‘ecstatic’ the ex-EDL leader was released from prison.
Steve Bannon repeatedly called for Robinson, who changed his named from Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, to be released after he was sentenced to 13 months for contempt of court.
However, he has now been released on bail after a panel of judges found his case should have been adjourned, rather than sentencing delivered immediately.
Mr Bannon likened Robinson to the rapper married to Kim Kardashian, claiming they are both a ‘force of nature’.
Steve Bannon led calls for Tommy Robinson’s release from prison and has now said he is instrumental for politics within the working class


Tommy Robinson (left) has been likened to rapper Kanye West (right) who were both called ‘a force of nature’ by Steve Bannon who was Donald Trump’s chief strategist
Despite Robinson facing a second hearing for contempt at the Old Bailey, for allegedly risking the future of a court case by filming outside on the steps, Bannon said he was ‘ecstatic’ at his release.
He told The Sunday Times: ‘Tommy is not just a guy but a movement in and of himself now.
‘He represents the working class and channels a lot of the frustration of everyday, blue collar Britons… He is a force of nature, like Kanye (West) – not built to be managed.’
Bannon, a former investment banker, said authorities were wrong to jail Robinson, and that he deserves an apology.
He led the calls for his release and called him a ‘solid guy’ and the ‘backbone of this country’ while in the UK last month.
He said after his release: ‘That’s why I told LBC that and they all jumped up and down like babies live on air to insist he was guilty.
‘We didn’t know at the time he was guilty. That’s the whole point. Now he’s won his appeal and no one in the press is apologising for the way they treated him.’
The ex-EDL leader, 35, has been behind bars for two months after confronting defendants outside Leeds Crown Court on May 25.
Judges freed him after ruling it was ‘unfair’ to give him 13 months in prison during a ‘muddled’ and ‘rushed’ court case held just five hours after his arrest.
He had confronted suspects being prosecuted in trials involving dozens of Asian men accused of grooming children as young as 11, it can be reported for the first time today.
Robinson broadcast these exchanges to 250,000 people watching him on Facebook Live and even captured the moment police arrested him.
However, he was arrested and sent to cells within five hours.
Robinson supporters said he was jailed for speaking out and his freedom of speech was being taken away from him, but court lawyers made clear he was accused of contempt.
A statement from Carson Kaye solicitors, which represented Robinson, said: ‘The rule of law and the right to a fair hearing are fundamental to every individual and this ruling is an example of the procedural safeguards of our system, and its potential for protecting every citizen equally.
‘What makes the British system so unique is the ability to set aside personal feelings and deal with the law and each case on its merits.’

Former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson leaves Onley Prison, near Rugby, after he was freed on bail

Rapper Kanye West with wife Kim Kardashian in the US. Steve Bannon has likened Tommy Robinson to outspoken West
Making the comparison between the The College Dropout hitmaker and Robinson, Mr Bannon said both are men who create movements.
He also claimed there should be more populism.
‘There is obviously a need for a more populist party in the UK,’ he said.
‘At one time that might have been UKIP under Farage. But please don’t try to smear it with far right and ‘anti-Islamic’ so as to scare people.
‘The party can be populist, nationalist and want to thwart radical Islamic doctrine and Islamic supremacism without being anti-Muslim.’