Liz Truss Says Far-Right Activist Tommy Robinson Has Been 'Unfairly Demonised'

Liz Truss has claimed that far-right leader and anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson has been “unfairly demonised”. 

The former Conservative prime minister has been drifting further to the right ever since she was kicked out of Downing Street in 2022 – after just 49 days in office – for crashing the economy with her disastrous mini-Budget.

Truss, who also lost her seat in parliament in last July’s general election, has made her support for US president Donald Trump and his controversial former adviser Elon Musk clear since.

She was also accused  of starting the “far-right bandwagon” over grooming gangs by Labour minister Jess Phillips.

Now she is speaking up in support of Robinson, who recently led a march of 150,000 people through London claiming to be in favour of free speech when the Metropolitan Police said 26 officers were injured.

Discussing Robinson’s past focus on the grooming gangs scandal, Truss said: “I think it is correct that Tommy Robinson drew attention to a problem and a heinous issue that has been brushed under the carpet by many people.”

Asked by Newsweek if thought Robinson had been “unfairly demonised”, she said: “Yes, I do.”

It comes after Truss already attracted criticism in 2024 for refusing to speak up when she chose not to speak up as former Trump adviser Steve Bannon called Robinson a “hero” while they were both on a podcast.

Former Tory foreign secretary Sajid Javid said at the time that “Liz should really know better”.

When asked by Newsweek if she might try to return to Westminster, she did not completely rule it out.

Truss said: “I’m getting my ideas and thoughts out there, because the problem with being a government minister for so long is you’re very constrained in what you can say.

“You’re very constrained in what you can do and think about and who you can talk to.

“And I think the problems are so big in Britain that we do need a revolution, and I want to work to achieve that.”

Truss is still currently part of the Conservative Party, despite previously clashing with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, but this interview sparked calls for her to be removed as a member.

As former No.10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell wrote on X: “Rishi Sunak should have thrown Truss out of the Conservative Party when he became leader; Kemi Badenoch should definitely do so now.”

The Conservative Party has been approached for comment.