Irish MPs are calling for an investigation into how far-right leader Tommy Robinson obtained an Irish passport in his real name of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Questions have been raised about the validity of the passport after an official form from Canadian immigration authorities listed his place of birth as “Ireland”. Former justice minister Charles Flanagan emphasized the need to take any alleged violations of the Irish passport system seriously and conduct a formal investigation.
Other members of the Irish parliament expressed concern over the integrity of Robinson’s passport, with Labour party Dáil member Duncan Smith highlighting the importance of accurate country of birth information for passport applications. Socialist parliamentarian Paul Murphy also raised doubts about the authenticity of Robinson’s passport, especially since the Canadian documentation indicated a false place of birth.
Robinson, who has a history of criminal convictions, including fraud and using someone else’s passport to travel to the US, has been cultivating ties with the emerging Irish far right. While some welcomed his presence in Ireland, others were more hesitant to cooperate with a figure known for inciting racist violence.
It is unclear why Robinson opted to travel on an Irish passport, but it may be related to Brexit-related travel concerns or his criminal history. The call for an investigation into Robinson’s passport comes amidst growing scrutiny over his activities and influence within the far-right movement in both Britain and Ireland.
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