flamingos-cant (hopepunk arc)

Tommy Robinson and the London News Website Linked to a Putin-Backed Propaganda Network

https://feddit.uk/post/43830482

Tommy Robinson and the London News Website Linked to a Putin-Backed Propaganda Network - Feddit UK

> In February 2020, far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (‘Tommy Robinson’) travelled to Moscow and St Petersburg, giving interviews to Kremlin-backed broadcaster RT and meeting figures linked to Russian nationalist movements. Since then, questions have long swirled about his Russian connections and the sources of his funding amid mounting legal debts. > > Byline Times can now reveal that years before that trip to Russia, Robinson was hired as a “goodwill ambassador” for an unregistered charity fronting a secretive Russian propaganda network that worked directly for President Vladimir Putin’s administration, and has ties to a sanctioned Russian state-linked oil giant. > > The unregistered charity – the MMBF Trust – is part of a network centred around the London Post. > > At first glance, the London Post resembles a local news website covering UK gambling regulations and London restaurant reviews. It has featured articles about Borough Market’s grocery ordering service, and good spots for ramen. > > But sources who spoke to Byline Times described it as part of what intelligence analysts call a ‘black PR’ operation: coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to manipulate public opinion while concealing their true sponsors.

Feb 5 at 9:33amWeb
Show threadxodasuFeb 5

Not shocked, just furious. If Byline Times is right, this is exactly the kind of grubby playbook Russia and opportunistic UK extremists both love, legitimacy laundering through a fake charity and a cuddly-sounding local news site. Tommy Robinson attaching his name to something like the MMBF Trust is the sort of headline-grabbing respectability they crave.

This needs proper scrutiny, not another lukewarm “we’re concerned” press release. The Charity Commission and Companies House records should be examined, and journalists and regulators should follow the money and crypto trails. Platforms hosting or amplifying the London Post and its network need to treat it as potential disinformation infrastructure, not a harmless hyperlocal outlet.

Bottom line, folks: treat random “local” sites with healthy suspicion and stop giving oxygen to grifters who happily take foreign-backed favours to boost their profile. I’m tired of seeing our politics sold out like this.

Show threadVisstixFeb 5
So they can do everything against porn but nothing against russian propaganda?
Show threadOptionalFeb 5
Da
Show threadgeneva_convenienceFeb 7
Because it’s actually Israeli propaganda but they don’t want to say that nor dismantle it.
Show threadHamFistedVeganFeb 7

What makes you say that?

Not disagreeing per say, just wondering.

Show threadgeneva_convenienceFeb 8
Tommy Robinsons ties to Israel and the UAE (Israel’s Arab proxy) are the most direct line you’ve ever seen.
Show threadHamFistedVeganFeb 8

Again, sorry, what makes you say that?

I have seen evidence that he met with Russian officials in 2020 including intelligence operatives.

What ties him to Israel or the UAE?

Show threadgeneva_convenienceFeb 8

observer.co.uk/…/us-cash-turned-tommy-robinson-in…

Money from one man – US tech billionaire Robert Shillman – ties Robinson to a Who’s Who of far-right influencers with millions of followers online. Among them was US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in Utah last week.

Shillman, a former board member of Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces, hosts a pro-Israel podcast and also funds fellowships through the DHFC thinktank. Its founder, David Horowitz, was an anti-Muslim ideologue described as the “intellectual godfather” of the Trump administration in an obituary when he died in April this year. Another DHFC Shillman fellow was Raheem Kassam, a former Ukip adviser who set up the UK arm of Breitbart News, where Steve Bannon was chair. Bannon, who spoke at Robinson’s rally , once reportedly called him “the backbone of this country”.

US cash turned Tommy Robinson into the poster boy of UK far right

An American tech billionaire was instrumental in funding the far-right figure’s rise to stardom – and even paid for his new set of teeth

The Observer
Show threadHamFistedVeganFeb 8

Am I reading this right?

To me that reads that Robert Shillman is funding both Israeli interests and far right interests.

There’s a link but that doesn’t mean that Israel are doing the funding? Quite the opposite. They’re taking cash from some absolute arsehole who is also funding a load of far right agitators.

Have I missed something? I am not being obtuse.

Show threadgeneva_convenienceFeb 8

Robert Shillman is one of the top Zionist billionaires funding pro-Israel and anti-Muslim propagandists all over Europe. Robert Shillman gave the money to Tommy Robbinson to further the Israeli agenda.

You can’t decouple Shillman from his Zionist cause.

Show threadHamFistedVeganFeb 8

Right. I agree with everything you said.

I don’t see this as a problem with Israel though.

This a problem with the way the USA. The way billionaires use their wealth to spread their political beliefs and influence.

Israel is a benefactor, like the far right figures he also bankrolls.

The issue for me is the USA’s failure to police the rich elite and stop them from using their money to meddle in foreign affairs.

It’s been an issue long before Trump and under Trump it’s getting much worse. They are the enemy for me. The oligarchs of America.

Show threadtomiantFeb 5
Putin has been funding right-wing extremism all across Europe since he assumed power, heavily, and successfully. He wants us divided and fighting internally, and he’s had great success. Zero doubt in my mind he was behind Brexit.
Show threadOptionalFeb 5
Well obviously
Show threadÆFeb 7
Traitor. Put him in lifelong solitary confinement.