Fox News presenter criticised after supporting EDL leader, saying he’s “a great guy” doing “great work”
Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade has voiced his support of English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, saying he is doing “great work”.Kilmeade interviewed the controversial anti-Islam activist, whose real name is Stephen Lennon, describing to a US audience how Sharia law has taken over Britain and British police now treat Muslims like “a master race”.Speaking to the Huffington Post UK, Hope Not Hate director Nick Lowles criticised Fox's clear lack of understanding as to who Robinson/Lennon is and what he stands for. He said the channel "obviously doesn't know who the EDL leader is"."If they did they would know his name was Stephen Lennon and he has several convictions for violence, including being imprisoned for attacking a police officer,” he added.Kilmeade closed the interview by saying: "Tommy, we got your back and we'll definitely look to keep in touch, it's great what you're doing."Kilmeade later tweeted to his 67,000 followers a message of support.
Englishdefenseleague.org check out Tommy Robinson and his mission to rid brit ian of muslim extremists @foxandfriends
— Brian Kilmeade (@kilmeade) June 10, 2013Nick Ryan, an author and documentary maker, called it irresponsible journalism, while the Islamic Society of Britain's Julie Siddiqi said Fox News “should know that this is not representative of Britain” and that “most people are completely against everything the EDL stands for".