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Outside the Old Bailey in London. In just under two hours, a hearing will start to determine whether Tommy Robinson must go through another contempt of court proceeding, which could send him to jail. I’ll be covering the case live. 
Crowd of mostly Tommy Robinson supporters gathering outside the Old Bailey.
Here’s the anti-Tommy demonstration.
An interesting backdrop to this hearing is that Tommy Robinson is standing as a candidate in the European parliamentary elections on May 23. He’s running as an independent.
Much more subdued demonstrations than last October. Shot starts with anti-Tommy side then pans to pro-Tommy side. Doesn’t officially start for another 17 minutes, however.
Union protesters chanting “Tommy Robinson you’re a fake. You can’t handle a milkshake. Tommy Robinson we know you. You’re a Nazi racist too.”
There are some rough people in the pro-Tommy crowd, but the nastiness I’m hearing from the anti-Tommy people here through their chants and other comments is unrivalled.
About 75 feet and an open street separate the pro-Tommy and anti-Tommy demonstrators, who are mostly just chanting back and forth at one another.
Organizer with the Free Tommy campaign addresses the crowd. Tommy Robinson is expected to arrive imminently but I have to clear security in five minutes to get into court.
I just spotted the Press Association reporter I caught lying about Tommy Robinson last year, here to cover the case. BACKGROUND: andrewlawton.ca/i-overheard-ho…
Tommy Robinson just arrived to change of Oh Tommy Tommy and hoardes of fans.
Court is now in session. Lady Justice Sharp and Mr. Justice Warby are presiding. Tommy Robinson is nervously shaking his leg as proceedings commence.
Robinson's barrister is speaking about the physiological toll Robinson's incarceration for the first conviction of contempt of court, submitting that Robinson has already been punished.
Lawyer for UK attorney general implying that Tommy Robinson is to blame for delay of case, not government/judiciary as alleged by Robinson and legal team.
Lawyer for UK attorney general says medical issues claimed by Robinson are not sufficient to justify deferral.
Attorney General's lawyer says there are "public interest aspects" at stake in having another contempt of court hearing for Tommy Robinson.
AG lawyer says "court has wide discretion... but should give due weight to the attorney general's assessment of the public interest." Essentially arguing that political intervention should be looked on favourably.
Lawyer representing United Kingdom argues that attorney general's recommendation of new proceedings serves to "safeguard the public course of justice."
Lawyer for UK AG says the initial Leeds court didn't review the entire video before convicting and sentencing Tommy Robinson for contempt of court. That's true–hence why an appeal judge threw out the conviction.
A court official just handed a piece of paper to the two judges, who are now talking amongst themselves. Court is now recessing unexpectedy.
Court security guards are looking up into the public gallery, conferring with court officials. Something is happening, but it's not clear what.
Court is back in session. Lady Justice Sharp reminds court that accredited journalists are permitted to tweet from inside the courtroom. Proceedings resume.
Apparently the complaint was about @ezralevant's live tweeting, though it was rejected by judges. I'm rather hurt mine weren't the source of any troubles.
AG lawyer again says issues with Tommy Robinson's alleged contempt relate to potential jury influence. Except jury had already deliberated in the case Robinson was covering last year.
AG lawyer points out a legitimate question about Tommy Robinson's case. When I was here in October, Robinson's team said the case shouldn't be tried, but should be referred to the AG. Now that AG has ordered new proceedings, Robinson's team is fighting against them.
AG lawyer says Tommy Robinson's witness statement has an "I'm not guilty of anything tone to it." Perhaps that's because it was filed as evidence of innocence? Here's the statement on background: andrewlawton.ca/planned-contem…
AG lawyer says Tommy Robinson's "treatment of defendants" (in the sex grooming gang case) is a particular issue of concern with Robinson's live stream.
AG lawyer argues that social media's reach of millions aggravates the contempt of court charge, noting Robinson said in the Leeds live stream he wanted people to share his video.
Lawyer for AG concludes his submission. Now responding is Tommy Robinson's barrister.
Tommy Robinson's lawyer says proportionality of punishment to offence should play a role in court's decision today.
Tommy Robinson's lawyer cites delay (initial alleged offence goes back a year now) as indicative that the state, which is initiating proceedings, hasn't been able to get its house in order.
Tommy Robinson's lawyer notes that the attorney general is presently exploring, outside of this case, what limits should apply to new media and citizen journalists.
Lawyer for Tommy Robinson concludes his case. Back to Attorney General's lawyer.
AG's lawyer makes a brief technical point. Court temporarily recesses.
A BBC reporter is now picking a fight with @ezralevant over Levant’s suggestion a mainstream media journalist reported his tweeting to the court.
Ezra asks BBC reporter if they reported him at a previous hearing. “I’m talking about this time,” reporter responds.
Ezra: “Did you call the cops on me last time?” BBC guy: “I’m not even going to talk to you.” The latter started the exchange, for what it’s worth.
BBC reporter now saying he doesn’t work on the taxpayer’s dime in response to accusation of being a government journalist.
All the mainstream media journalists are now reviewing Ezra’s tweets about them. They do genuinely seem to be a clique.
The two justices will deliver their decision today. It’s expected to either be a date for a fresh contempt hearing, or a dismissal of the attorney general’s request for one.
BREAKING: Court orders a new contempt of court hearing for Tommy Robinson, accepting request by Attorney General.
This means Robinson will once again defend himself against the offence for which he’s already served 10 weeks in jail, after the ruling that was thrown out last August.
Lawyers for Tommy Robinson and the attorney general are now discussing with judges options for setting a hearing date.
It sounds like both lawyers agree a hearing of 1.5 to 2 days in length is likely justified, given volume of evidence and testimony likely to be yielded.
Lady Justice Sharp agrees that sentencing, if required, will be done at separate hearing than the contempt of court hearing presently being scheduled.
Hearing is schedule for July 4 and 5, 2019. Lady Justice Sharp stressing the importance of adherence to evidentiary deadlines so as to avoid further delays.
June 7th is the deadline for submissions. Judges originally set it at May 31st, but was extended a week after Tommy Robinson's lawyer noted Robinson's preoccupation with MEP election campaign. (Election is May 23rd.)
With that, court adjourns. The judges' full list of reasons for deciding to send Robinson to a re-hearing will be issued in writing at a later date.
