Far-right extremist Tommy Robinson arrested on suspicion of assault at protest

In a four minute video short as he was arrested, Robinson claims to police officers that he acted in self-defence after being spat at by a man who called him a "racist pr*ck".

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was one of four men arrested by Cumbria police who had made their way to the county for the protest yesterday (Thurs).

He had earlier spoken at a rally at a retail park in Barrow-in-Furness which was being held in support of a 19-year-old women who alleges she was drugged and raped by a grooming gang.

No-one has been charged after a year long police investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence.

The un-named teenager is currently in custody awaiting a court hearing for an alleged breach of bail conditions after being charged with perverting the course of justice.

Robinson, 37, claimed to be in the town filming a documentary about the allegations and addressed crowds that had gathered a retail park.

In a video recorded by Robinson and published on YouTube, police officers are seen to pull up to the house where he is filming an interview.

He says, 'here we go again' before greeting officers at the door. He tells officers that a man approached him and called him a racist prick and spat in his face.

He adds: "At this point I acted in defence. I didn't know if he had a knife or anything so I made sure he ended up on his bum."

Robinson was arrested with three other men - all from outside of Cumbria - as cops also quizzed him for a potential public order offence.

Cumbria Police said they received a call reporting an assault on a man at Hollywood Retail Park shortly after 8.30pm - just minutes after the English Defence League founder had addressed crowds.

A spokesman for the force said: "Officers responded and arrested four men in the Douglas Street area of Barrow.

"A man aged 43 from the West Midlands area, a man aged 47 from the North Wales area and a man aged 28 from the Bedfordshire area were arrested on suspicion of a public order

offence.

"A 37-year old man from the Bedfordshire area was arrested on suspicion of assault and a public order offence. "All remain in police custody this morning.

"There were a number of people in the area at the time and officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed what happened or the moments immediately before or after."

Cumbria Police previously stated that they had launched a year-long investigation into claims an organised gang had trafficked girls and young women across the north of England for sex.

Det Ch Supt Dean Holden insisted in a video message last month that the joint-investigation with the National Crime Agency found no evidence of grooming gangs in Barrow.

An independent review team was called in to assess their handling of the investigation and safeguarding surrounding it.

The family of the woman at the centre of the abuse allegations condemned a previous visit to Barrow last week.

In a statement they said: “We want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with us and we do not want him involved.

“We are a peaceful family, who condemns any form of racial hatred. We are appealing for calm from the good people of Barrow.

"Thank you again so much for all your support.”