Who is Tommy Robinson, the British extremist inciting against Muslims, immigrants amid the UK riots?

The racist and Islamophobic riots across England over the last week may have seemingly erupted out of no where, but they are linked to long-term efforts by an evolving UK far-right movement to weaponise anti-immigration sentiment to further their agenda, according to extremism experts. One key figure among the British fascist movement is Tommy Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon. Robinson was spotted at a five-star hotel in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa in recent days, where he has been posting inflammatory videos on social media. Having left the UK before a scheduled hearing in a contempt of court case, a warrant has now been issued for his arrest. Cyprus police have said they were ready to assist their British counterparts in taking action against the founder of the English Defence League, allegedly instigating anti-migrant violence from a sun lounger on the island. "We are in contact with the British police, and if they need our assistance, we are ready to help," a Cyprus police spokesperson said as thousands of UK riot police stood ready to deal with more potential outbreaks of violence around the country today.