Northern Ireland

Tommy Robinson appears to show support for soldier F with badge

Tommy Robinson wearing a badge with the slogan "I support soldiers A-Z" as he arrives for his sentencing at the Old Bailey in London on Thursday. Picture by Aaron Chown, Press Association
Tommy Robinson wearing a badge with the slogan "I support soldiers A-Z" as he arrives for his sentencing at the Old Bailey in London on Thursday. Picture by Aaron Chown, Press Association Tommy Robinson wearing a badge with the slogan "I support soldiers A-Z" as he arrives for his sentencing at the Old Bailey in London on Thursday. Picture by Aaron Chown, Press Association

FORMER English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has appeared to show support for an ex-British soldier facing prosecution for two murders on Bloody Sunday.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for nine months for contempt of court on Thursday.

He arrived for his court appearance wearing a badge with the slogan "I support soldiers A-Z".

An ex-paratrooper, known as soldier F, faces murder charges over the killing of James Wray and William McKinney at Bloody Sunday on January 30 1972.

He is also facing charges for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell.

In 2018, trainee British soldiers were investigated for posing for a picture with Robinson and chanting his name after he met them at motorway services off the M1 in England.

Members of the British army are not allowed to promote political messages while in uniform.

Robinson later hit out at the army investigation.

He handed a petition to Downing Street on behalf of a soldier who faced disciplinary action after posing for the picture.

Members of the British military have been warned on previous occasions against affiliations with the English Defence League.