Pauline Hanson defends Tommy Robinson meeting in 7NEWS Spotlight interview airing Sunday
The One Nation leader refuses to apologise in a tense conversation with Liam Bartlett on 7NEWS Spotlight.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has defended her controversial meeting with UK alt-right figure Tommy Robinson in a fiery exclusive Spotlight interview.
A promo for Sunday’s 7NEWS Spotlight, shows Hanson touring the streets of Luton in England with Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pauline Hanson defends meeting with Tommy Robinson
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The meeting comes weeks after Robinson announced on X that he had recorded a podcast with Hanson, describing her as “one of the bravest ladies on the planet” and saying he hoped she would become Australia’s next leader.
Robinson said he had shown Hanson “the rapid decline” of his hometown, which he blamed on “mass Islamic immigration”.
He said the One Nation leader had seen “what Australia could end up” like and urged Australians to “vote her party in to stop the rot”.
In this Sunday’s Spotlight episode, Hanson appears to echo Robinson’s concerns about the area as she tours Luton with him, saying: “It’s not England. It’s not the England that I remember.”
The pair are shown walking together before Hanson tells Robinson: “I’m in your hands, Tommy.”
The video then turns to Robinson himself, with Spotlight reporter Liam Bartlett challenging the activist over his criminal record.
“I’ve never been arrested on anything to do with race or hate,” Robinson says.
Bartlett responds: “Tommy, Tommy, you’ve got two convictions for violent assaults, two convictions. You’ve just told me a lie.”
Robinson then responds to the veteran journalist, saying: “You attack me now, or I’ll end up beating you up.”
Robinson has built a long criminal record over the past two decades, serving prison sentences for offences including assault, fraud and repeated contempt of court.
He previously belonged to the British National Party and has become one of Britain’s most prominent far-right figures through anti-Islam activism and protests that have at times been marred by Nazi salutes.
Bartlett asks Hanson whether it was wise to align herself with Robinson.
“I’m not going to apologise for meeting with Tommy Robinson,” Hanson replies.
The full exchange will air on 7NEWS Spotlight on Sunday.
The One Nation leader is also expected to meet Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during her trip to Britain.
The Spotlight interview comes weeks after Karl Stefanovic was sacked by Nine following his controversial podcast interview with Robinson.
During the hour-long interview on The Karl Stefanovic Show, Stefanovic said he admired the British activist’s “tenacity” and “courage”.
The episode was removed from podcast platforms and social media the following morning.
Watch 7NEWS Spotlight for the full story this Sunday at 8.50pm after Farmer Wants a Wife on Seven and 7plus.
Originally published on 7NEWS
