Far-right activist Tommy Robinson is ‘secretly being lined up to lead Ukip’
Current Ukip leader Gerard Batten reportedly wants Tommy Robinson to take over the position when he retires
FAR-right hot-head Tommy Robinson is secretly being lined up to become Ukip leader, it has been claimed.
Multiple sources inside the party have separately told this newspaper of behind-the-scenes plans to install the English Defence League (EDL) founder as leader when current boss Gerard Batten quits.
Mr Batten sparked an exodus of Ukip big-hitters including ex-leaders Nigel Farage and Paul Nuttall by appointing Robinson as an adviser in November.
He is trying to change party rules to allow the anti-Islam campaigner to join Ukip as a member. He is currently barred from joining due to Ukip’s blanket ban on former members of the BNP or EDL.
Insiders said plans for a party-wide ballot on lifting the ban for Robinson to join is part of a longer-term strategy to make him Ukip leader so the party can benefit from his huge backing across the country.
One senior source said: “This is Gerard’s ultimate plan.” Another said: “Gerard only listens to Tommy Robinson. They’re best buddies.”
A prominent figure added: “It would explain why Gerard is so keen to get Tommy Robinson in as a member before next leadership contest, due in April.”
Another source told The Sun he had seen evidence Robinson was also being lined up to run to become Ukip’s first ever MP if there’s a House of Commons by-election before the next General Election.
A source said: “With his social media following he’d have a good chance of becoming leader if he was able to stand.
“There’s a realisation that Tommy wouldn’t just be joining to become spokesman for town planning given his profile and his way of doing things. He’s being groomed by Gerard to be a future leader.”
In a bombshell moment for Ukip last month Mr Farage quit the party - blaming Mr Batten’s “obsession” with Robinson and his focus on anti-Islam campaigning.
The ex-Ukip leader said Mr Batten was “turning a blind eye to extremist politics”. Mr Nuttall also quit along with a string of fellow Ukip MEPs and senior figures in protest at Robinson’s involvement.
Robinson, 36, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was recently jailed for 13 months for contempt of court by filming outside a grooming gang’s trial and putting footage online.
The outcome was quashed in August and has now been referred to the attorney general.
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The Sun revealed how the far-right hot head walked free from court and straight into a boozy lunch at the House of Lords with Ukip bigwig Lord Pearson.
He enjoyed a three-course lunch with Lord Pearson, Ukip leader Mr Batten and Canadian shock jock Ezra Levant — after addressing supporters outside court.
Robinson had nearly half a million Twitter followers before he was banned from the social media site last year because he breached its “hateful conduct” policy.
Mr Batten insisted it was “fake news” to suggest Robinson was being lined up as his replacement.
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