Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has apologised after falsely calling a Glasgow man an “invader” who was filming children.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, shared a video of an anti-immigration protest which took place in the city on Sunday.
It showed 43-year-old Quroum Beg being shouted at by protesters in the Gorbals area and being led away from a playpark by police.
Robinson wrote on X: “Another invader hanging around a park filming children. Glasgow again too!”
Beg, 43, had challenged the protesters and filmed his own video of the incident after taking his children away from the park.
I’m the fourth generation in this country, my children will be the fifth generation here. If I don’t make a stand, then who else is going to do that?
He told the protesters: “I’m not afraid of you, keep on walking.”
Following Robinson’s post, Beg said he had been left “fearing for his life”.
However Robinson, who has two million followers on X, made a further post on Wednesday saying he wished to correct the record.
It said: “In this instance I got it wrong, as did many others, so for that I apologise and I have deleted that post.
“However… That does not negate all the other many instances of freshie migrants taking over parks and filming children. It happens, It happens a lot.
“One incorrect example does not mean this issue should be ignored, in fact it should chased down relentlessly.
“People may need to be a little more careful about how they approach these situations from a factual point of view but we should never apologise for protecting children.”
Beg had earlier told STV News he had been concerned for himself and his children at the protest.
He said: “I told them ‘we see you, we all see who you are and what you are doing’.
“They came to our doorstep, and I felt that I had to take a stand because I saw all my neighbours being fearful and leaving the park.
“I’m the fourth generation in this country, my children will be the fifth generation here.
“If I don’t make a stand, then who else is going to do that?”
Following Robinson’s apology, Mr Beg said he is seeking legal advice.
He told STV: “I’ve been alerted that he’s apologised to his followers.
“Has he apologised to me? And the harm this caused to my reputation and my family?
“Being falsely accused of something like this, and the abuse that followed, has been deeply distressing.
“I am taking legal advice and considering my options.”
