Thread by @jamesdoleman

Back at London's picturesque Royal Courts of Justice for day 2 in the libel case against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, aka Tommy Robinson.
Proceedings due to commence at 10.30 am.

The judge enters court and proceedings begin.

The judge now dealing with a request for an anonymity order for two witnesses.

Mr Robinson complains to the judge about the "one-sided nature," of the media coverage from yesterday. Mr Justice Nickley responds that this was because it was the claimant giving evidence, so that's what was bound to happen.

The judge rejects Mr Robinson's request for anonymity orders for two of his witnesses. Will consider a private hearing to discuss the matter further.
Robinson says "I'm a bit different from most criminals," and says witnesses for him face a "backlash."

Judge says by that argument all trials would have to take place in private. And openness is the "price we pay for living in a democracy," and gives his formal ruling on the request.

Mr Robinson now due to give his opening speech.

The defendant rises to give his opening statement, he begins by saying the claimant's lawyers claim that the English Defence League was a "racist," organisation was wrong as it was a "centrist organisation."

He goes on to say that he left the EDL and joined Quilliam, adds he is not racist and not anti-Muslim.
Says he now reports on issues the "mainstream media," ignores.
"I am simply seeking the truth."

Robinson ends his opening statement and calls his first witness.
(I won't be naming any of the young witnesses in the case)

The witness says she is 17 and attended the same school as the claimant Jamal Hijazi.
The judge intervenes to say that in civil proceedings there is "no need to go through the whole story," as he already has her witness statement.

Catrin Evans QC, who is representing the claimant, rises to cross-examine the witness.

The witness confirms that she did write in her statement Jamal Hijazi spat on her, and tried to hit her after an argument. She says she did not report it to the police.

Evans suggests to the witness that her account is untrue and she is "making it up," she replies that she is telling the truth.
The QC ends her cross-examination.

Mr Robinson asks how the press would find out about her evidence unless she testified.
The judge says that his team should be providing copies of the statements from his witnesses to the media.

Witness steps down, the court takes a break until 11.55.