28 October 2013

Quitting the English Defence League: When Tommy met Mo

This programme’s title puts a spin on recent events which some might dispute. Yes, Tommy Robinson has quit the EDL, and he has also met Mo (ad nauseam). However, according to Robinson’s own testimony, there is little causal association between these two facts. He tweeted:

“If I’m honest, @Mo Ansar strengthened my belief against Islam during our journey!”

Ansar has seemed torn between a wish to claim credit for TR’s change of heart, and a great reluctance to accept that there has been any real reformation. And in fact TR himself is asserting that his core concerns remain the same, even though his tactics and emphases may have shifted. An important new theme, however, is his wish to work with reformist Muslims. [Harry’s Place] Read more