Thread by @jamesdoleman

Proceedings resume in the libel case between Jamal Hijiza and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson)

The next witness is Jamal's father, Mr Hijazi, who is giving evidence via an interprer.
He confirms his witness statements are accurate and signed by him.

Mr Robinson rises to cross-examine the witness.
He asks Mr Hajazi about health problems he mentions in his witness statements and asks if he has any other relatives here, he says no.

Mr Hijazi says he did report a previous incident that ended up with his son suffering a broken wrist, but that "nothing was done about it."

Asked about a comment he had made about "dying in his country," Mr Hijazi says he would rather have stayed in Syria than put his children through what they have been,

Asked about funds raised in support of Jamal, over £100,000 according to Robinson, Hijazi says he used it to allow his children to "live peacefully.

Asked about when he got legal advice, the witness says he first wrote to his MP, and only contacted lawyers later which he found through contacts in the Syrian community.

The defendant now asking the witness about minutes of a meeting, we saw earlier, which mentions his son had a "knife," in school.

Mr Hijazi says he was at the meeting, which was to deal with the problems his children were having at school. He adds the headteacher later told him that they had checked and Jamal had a screwdriver "planted," in his bag by another pupil.

Robinson puts to the witness minutes of a social care meeting in which of the participants suggests Mt Hijazi "might be trying to manipulate the system."

My Hijazi says he was not, Robinson asks "do you have an idea why they might have said that."
He replies that he doesn't know.

Mr Robinson finishes his cross-examination, as there are no further witnesses today,r court to adjourn Robinson will be delivering his opening speech tomorrow morning.

Court adjourns