Tommy Robinson's legal saga exposes lack of understanding around contempt of court laws

Analysis: The far-right figurehead’s protracted case is shining a light on little-understood laws that affect us all, writes Lizzie Dearden

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The protracted legal saga surrounding Tommy Robinson is shining an unexpected light on parts of Britain’s legal system – but not for the reasons he suggests.

The far-right figurehead characterises the allegations that could see him jailed for a second time as a “political witch hunt” and “establishment” plot.

But what the ongoing game of legal football really exposes is how little the general public – and even the judiciary – understand about the practical application of archaic contempt of court laws in a world where everyone is a publisher on social media.