The appearance of EDL leader Tommy Robinson on ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ has stirred reactions on both sides of the pond. Fox News ambitious booking prompted the BBC to do a follow up with an interview by Andrew Neil on BBC’s ‘Sunday Politics’ which prompted a variety of viewer response.
One viewer, on the BBC response website, found interviewer Andrew Neil "too aggressive". However, the state-run channel had previously drawn criticism for giving airtime to Robinson, whose far-right group has mounted a number of demonstrations in the wake of the killing of British Soldier Lee Rigby in London last month.
BBC programme representatives, in response to the interview said…
“Given that the EDL is not a political party but a loose organisation, discussion of the character of the group and its leadership is particularly relevant. It was a robust interview, as our viewers would expect, given the importance and significance of the issues being discussed. Mr Robinson was given ample time and space to reply to Andrew Neil's questions. He was shown video and stills of himself, and other EDL members, and again was given time and space to respond. Mr Robinson had 15 minutes on BBC1 on one our flagship political programmes and had the opportunity to put his case forcefully and clearly which he did. It is true that towards the end of the interview, Mr Neil and Mr Robinson talked over each other a few times and we appreciate some viewers may have found this frustrating. However, we believe the interview was fair, forensic and well conducted."
The responses didn’t stop there. Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Fox News Channel’s ‘Fox and Friends’ as well as host of his own radio show ‘Kilmeade & Friends’ decided to have Robinson on himself. At the end of the 15-minute piece he said "Tommy, we got your back and we'll definitely look to keep in touch, it's great what you're doing."
British group ‘Hope not Hate’, backed by the Prime Minister, responded to Kilmeade with "obviously (he) 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. I would like to think that if they knew about the EDL then they would know that its supporters have been involved in murders, arsons and violent assaults. However, Fox News has a track record of providing platforms for the so-called 'Counter-Jihad' movement and Islamophobes and so their understanding of the EDL leader is depressingly predictable."
Unfortunately it is ‘Hope not Hate’ that is depressingly predictable. This group claims to be anti-fascist yet they frequently show up at demonstrations and when they do there is always violence. This behavior is generally non-existence at events where they don’t have a presence – the conclusions are obvious. ‘Hope not Hate’ accuses the EDL of murder, arson, and violent assault (they should know!); but except for the assault allegation the charges can fairly be described as slander.
According to Huff Po UK; The Islamic Society of Britain's Julie Siddiqi said she thought Fox News was probably well aware of Robinson's reputation and character. "It's shocking but perhaps not surprising. They should know that this is not representative of Britain, most people are completely against everything the EDL stands for."
However, the truth is quite different. Many in the UK are alarmed at the spread of Islam and Jihad and want it addressed. Meanwhile Britain is stuck with a government trying to be all things to all people, regardless of their ulterior motives.
Also according to Huff Po UK the BBC's flagship Today Programme has been criticised for running a "gentle" interview with the Robinson whom they describe as ‘far right’. Robinson said the "the non-Muslim working class don't have a voice, it's not going to end pretty". While denying any EDL involvement with recent attacks on mosques, even suggesting the attacks had been carried out by Muslims.
Robinson may have a point on the latter. Al-Qaeda and its sympathizers have been known to attack other Muslims not sufficiently sympathetic to them. EDL is a rare voice standing up to the tide of Islamism sweeping the UK. Even the anti-immigrant UKIP takes a very cautious tone in being critical of Islamic extremism.
Robinson and his EDL followers are, in some cases, of questionable moral character. But sometimes lost is that they recognize the effect Islam is having in the UK and are standing up to say no. Too many politicians hide behind a politically correct position, trying to appease everybody. The truth is that true evil cannot be appeased – rather it must be opposed and it doesn’t matter if a faulty person has led the charge because nobody else had the courage to do so.
