AN SNP MP has reacted with fury after learning that Ukip "wined and dined" Tommy Robinson in the House of Lords.
The far-right figurehead and Canadian alt-right media personality Ezra Levant were treated to a boozy, slap up, three-course meal in Parliament’s Barry Room by Ukip peer Lord Pearson of Rannoch yesterday.
They were joined by Ukip leader Gerard Batten, who also posed with Robinson and Pearson for a picture next to a statue of Richard the Lionheart.
The group dined in the famous carved stone dining room, named after parliament's architect, subsidised by the taxpayer, just moments after Robinson walked free from the Old Bailey after his contempt of court trial was delayed.
The SNP’s Stewart McDonald called on the parliamentary authorities to take action.
In a point of order after Prime Minister’s Questions, McDonald said: “It's entirely correct that members of both houses engage in robust political debate around the parliamentary estate, but today we have learned that yesterday, the violent, racist thug and fraudster known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or Tommy Robinson, was invited on to the estate and wined and dined in the House of Lords.
“Mr Speaker, I understand that sometimes we have to engage with views that one might not agree with, but surely, surely the fact that a man who is as guilty as he is on stirring up racial hatred, organising violent thuggish crimes around the country, setting up the EDL and everything that comes with it, crosses a line.
“And such a person shouldn't be invited to walk amongst us on the parliamentary estate.”
Speaker John Bercow replied to say that while he shared McDonald’s assessment of Robinson, describing him as “a loathsome, obnoxious, repellent individual,” there was very little he as Speaker of the House of Commons could do.
On Tuesday, the former English Defence League leader was released on bail, after his contempt of court case was sent back to the Attorney General.
The Recorder of London, Judge Nicholas Hilliard, QC, said it would not be appropriate for him to deal with, saying a different court setting would need “to look at quite a lot of the detail of what Mr Yaxley-Lennon said in the broadcast as to come to the overall picture as to what happened.”
He added: “I’m satisfied in the light of the issues as they now appear as they emerged from the statement of yesterday that cross-examination of Mr Yaxley-Lennon is necessary for a proper and thorough examination and resolution of the case that is in the public interest.”
Earlier, fans chanted “Oh Tommy Tommy” and blasted klaxons outside the Old Bailey as Robinson walked into court.
He was freed from prison in August after three leading judges quashed a contempt of court finding made at Leeds Crown Court.
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