I am now in courtroom 2 of the Old Bailey. It is the most serious criminal court in the UK -- murderers, terrorists, etc.
It is bizarre that a minor matter of Tommy Robinson's civil contempt -- not a crime, and almost never a custodial sentence -- is being heard here.
I am tweeting now from the courtroom. But I have been advised by court security and the court clerk that live-tweeting is not permitted during the proceedings. As I did at the Court of Appeal, I have asked the clerk to ask the judge to permit it for today. She said she'd ask.
There is no good reason not to be able to live-tweet from a court case, so long as it is in obedience to any particular publication bans (e.g. on details on the rape gang trials). In fact, live-tweeting from court would dispel rumour and disinformation. It would add transparency.
If the judge does not grant my request (or if the clerk doesn't present it to the judge) I will obviously comply with the rules of the court. I'll simply pre-type my tweets, and then publish them in batches during any breaks.
When I was at the Court of Appeal in July & August, Tommy Robinson had asked his supporters to stay away from the courts; there were about 100 pro-Tommy protesters outside, and maybe 50 who sat in the courtroom itself. Today: it's massive. I have never seen such a thing. 1,500+.
To say that Tommy Robinson was greeted as a rock star is inaccurate; rock stars have fawning, shallow, shrieking fans. These were serious, motivated, deeply-engaged supporters. They were energetic and fun (e.g. the chanting). But they're not fangirls. They're true allies.
There is very high security at this court. First of all, it is a court for murder and terrorism; so it's high security to begin with. Plus, there is a huge crowd outside. So they have a list of pre-approved people to attend -- some from Tommy's party, some from the media.
GREAT NEWS! The clerk just told me the judge approved my request to live-tweet the hearing! (Thanks Jo!)
I told the clerk that there is enormous interest in this case (including internationally) and so maximum information in a timely manner is in everyone's interest. I guess the judge agreed! I'm very glad! I have my computer plugged in, wifi going, and my typing fingers warmed up!
During breaks, and at the end, I will attempt to scoot outside to connect with our cameraman Ed, and film video updates. Those will then be sent back to HQ for a quick edit and upload to
http://www.TommyTrial.com .
However, I don't know how easy it will be to come and go from the courtroom, given the high security outside. (City police made me get permission from their supervisor before I was even permitted to come to the front door to get my ticket.)
There is a possibility today's hearing will be quite brief -- my Canadian experience tells me that procedural matters often cause delays, and I know that the Attorney General here has delayed at least twice (which, in Canada, would result in a stay of proceedings.)
I introduced myself to the lawyer against Tommy Robinson in today's proceedings. To be fair, he's not "against Tommy"; he is styled as a "friend of the court", to give them advice on the law, and to push back against Tommy's lawyers if they err. So it's not quite adversarial.
Tommy is in the court. I just said hi to him and his two solicitors, from @carsonkayelegal. He has a new barrister, Richard Furlong:
http://www.carmelitechambers.co.uk/docu ... ong_CV.pdf …