O LIVE RESS P BREXIT U-TURN Far right bolthole HOPE The
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AN exciting plan to reform the EU by France and Germany could see the UK rejoin as an ‘EU lite’ member. The logical move would see the removal of onerous restrictions on the movement of Brits in Europe. Under the change, Britain would get ‘associate membership’ of the bloc and regain frictionless access to the single market. In exchange, the UK would need to accept certain obligations, including paying into the EU budget and allow freedom of movement. Such a development could spell the end of the loathed visa restrictions imposed on Brits and second-home owners in Spain. Under current post-Brexit rules, UK residents are limited to spending no more than three months out of every six in Spain and the rest of the Schengen zone.
Relationship
Vol. 5 Issue 115 www.theolivepress.es September 21st - October 4th 2023
Friends or foes?
Special report page 6
REVEALED: Tommy Robinson’s €1.6m Bemidorm villa where he filmed farright podcasts is owned by billionaire boss of Jaeger and Austin Reed EXCLUSIVE By Walter Finch & Laurence Dollimore
AN investigation is underway into how Tommy Robinson accessed a stunning Costa Blanca villa owned by a British billionaire to film his extreme far-right podcasts, the Olive Press can reveal. The former leader of the far right English Defence League (EDL) has been using the €5,000-a-month property of fashion tycoon Philip Day to promote a series of US and British extremists. Videos filmed at the €1.6 million villa show Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - chatting with a string of white nationalist leaders and racists. They include Gavin McInnes, the founder of white nationalist group ‘the Proud Boys’, which helped lead the shocking 2021 assault on America’s Capitol building. He also hosted Laura Loomer, an avowed Islamophobe so extreme that even former president Donald Trump was forced to distance himself from her. Other controversial figures are former Sikh EDL leader Guramit Singh Kalirai, rapper Young Spray and bare knuckle fighter Danny Christie. The hate-filled
podcasts contain many homophobic, misogynistic and anti-Islamic statements, including referring to the Prophet Mohammed as a ‘paedophile’ and ‘rapist’. In one, Robinson supports notorious misogynist Andrew Tate, currently facing charges of human trafficking and rape in Romania. The villa in L’Albir boasts six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art security system.
Tycoon
According to public data from the Spanish land registry, the The rule has been exceptionally property is owned by EWM unpopular both with Brits forced INVESTCO LIMITED, linked MANSION: Owned by impresario Philip Day (inset) used for far-right podcasts (right) to stay at home and Spaniards who to British tycoon Day, 56, have lost out on their business. through his ownership of The Edin- “They’re very grateful you’ve raised land him behind bars again after he The news emerged as Labour leader burgh Woollen Mill Group. this and very keen to ensure it’s dealt previously had stretches for assault, Keir Starmer expressed the need to The impresario - who owns a string of with firmly and won't happen again.” mortgage fraud, travelling on false strengthen the relationship between high street names including Peacocks, But Neil Bennett of Maitland PR later documents and contempt of court. the UK and France during a meeting Jaeger and Austin Reed - denies any explained he had been ‘misinformed’ Several British expats said they have with President Macron this week. involvement in the podcasts. and Day ‘is unaware of the situation’. seen Robinson around in recent weeks Starmer's vision of closer ties with There is no suggestion the Stock- “[Day] has no control or say over the and he is still believed to be staying in Europe is likely to be a potential port-born businessman, estimated to company, which is managed by a the area thanks to an Irish passport. vote winner in next year’s general be worth €1.3 billion, had any knowl- professional team and owns multiple It is thought that a network of symelection. edge of Robinson using the villa, nor properties,” he added. pathisers and direct online donations The British public have firmly that he has any links with him. But when later pressed, he finally ad- have been supporting his lifestyle. turned their backs on Brexit, acWhen contact- mitted Day’s management company He posts frequent social media phocording to polls, with a clear majored by the Olive takes the allegations ‘very seriously’ tos of his workouts and was even reity (56%) insisting it was a mistake Press, a spokes- and the team are ‘investigating the cently pictured posing for selfies with against just 32% still in favour. man said Day matter.’ a young fan on Benidorm’s notorious The report, commissioned by Gerwas ‘shocked’ and Day, who is believed to reside between party strip. many and France, will be top of the ‘furious’ that one Switzerland and Dubai, is known to He also tucked into an ice cream in agenda at the upcoming summit of of his properties own a number of properties and busi- L'Albir with Loomer, who was tipped the European Political Communiwas being used by nesses in L'Albir. to join Trump’s campaign team unty - including the UK - in Granada Robinson. Curiously, L’Albir is the same Alicante til background checks revealed she next month. “[The manage- resort where Hitler-loving neo-Nazi had branded herself a 'proud IslamoUp until now both the Tories and ment company] Kris ‘Charlie Big Potatoes’ Kearney phobe'. Labour had trod extremely carefulwill take immedi- lived before being extradited back to Over 40 members of the Proud Boys ly over their Brexit positions ahead ate action if they the UK to be imprisoned on terrorism have been charged for their role in the of the general election. find that Robin- charges last year. insurrection to overturn the US elecDespite the Liberal Democrat Party son still has any Robinson, infamous for his anti-im- tions on January 6, 2021, with four strongly supporting a reverse, they access at all,” he migrant views, has also been hiding receiving jail sentences so far, one as have ruled out any form of associate said. out in the area after breaking a High long as 18 years. EXTREME PALS: Robinson (right) and McInnes membership of the EU. Court injunction in the UK for airing de- Have you met Yaxley or Kearney? famatory claims in What do you think of them? Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es his film Silenced. PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS The controversial documentary could Opinion Page 6
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