Dublin, Ireland — Irish Members of Parliament (MPs) are urging a thorough investigation into how far-right leader Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, obtained an Irish passport. The call for scrutiny comes amid concerns about the legitimacy of Robinson’s passport, which he uses for international travel.
Robinson, a prominent figure in the far-right movement known for his inflammatory rhetoric, reportedly secured the Irish passport through his mother, who is an Irish immigrant to Britain. However, questions have been raised about the passport’s validity following revelations from Canadian immigration authorities. During his detention in Canada in June, official documentation identified Robinson’s place of birth as “Ireland,” raising concerns about discrepancies in his passport details.
Charles Flanagan, a former Irish justice minister and current chair of the Irish parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, emphasized the importance of addressing any issues related to passport integrity. “Any questions over the integrity of the Irish passport system must be taken most seriously,” Flanagan stated. “Eligibility for Irish citizenship and grounds for holding an Irish passport are clearly defined in law. Any alleged violation must not only be taken seriously but acted upon and subject to formal investigation by the appropriate authorities.”
Duncan Smith, a Labour party Dáil member, echoed Flanagan’s sentiments, calling for a collaborative investigation between the UK Foreign Office and Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. “If there are any question marks over the integrity of someone’s passport, that must be investigated. Accurate country of birth information is integral to any passport application,” Smith said. He further stressed the need to confront far-right extremism, suggesting that if Robinson is using an Irish passport to incite hate, the situation warrants serious attention.
Socialist parliamentarian Paul Murphy also voiced concerns about Robinson’s use of an Irish passport. “It is concerning that someone who is inciting racist violence across Britain and Ireland appears to be traveling on an Irish passport,” Murphy said. “It is doubly concerning that Canadian documentation suggests his place of birth was falsely given as Ireland. If that is indeed the case, his passport could have been issued fraudulently and might be subject to revocation.”
Robinson, a known supporter of Brexit, has faced multiple legal issues, including previous convictions for assault, fraud, and drug possession. His recent arrest in Canada was linked to an immigration offense. The Canadian authorities’ form, which Robinson tweeted after his detention, highlighted discrepancies in his reported place of birth, further fueling speculation about the legitimacy of his passport.
The controversy surrounding Robinson’s passport raises broader questions about the effectiveness of immigration controls and the potential misuse of citizenship privileges. Robinson’s activities in Ireland, including his efforts to align with the Irish far-right, have been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming his presence and others rejecting the association with British far-right elements.
As the debate continues, Irish MPs are calling for a comprehensive investigation to ensure that the integrity of the passport system is upheld and that any fraudulent activities are addressed appropriately.