Amazon is under fire for allegedly directing substantial profits to Tommy Robinson, a controversial figure known as one of Britain's leading far-right extremists, after his latest book topped the retailer's bestseller charts.
The book, titled Manifesto – Tommy Robinson’s NEW Book, reached the number one spot on Amazon's bestseller list on Tuesday, surpassing notable titles, including Boris Johnson’s memoir and works by popular authors Richard Osman and Sally Rooney. Following its success, the book quickly sold out.
Joe Mulhall, the director of research at the anti-hate campaign group Hope Not Hate, voiced concerns over Amazon's decision to promote Robinson’s work. He stated, “Everyone has the right to write and publish a book as long as the content doesn’t break the law. The question is whether Amazon feels comfortable platforming him and facilitating the sale of a book that will funnel thousands of pounds into the pockets of Britain’s best-known far-right extremist. Freedom of speech is not freedom of reach.”
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, co-founded the now-defunct English Defence League and has been a vocal proponent of the “great replacement theory.” His book, subtitled “Free Speech, Real Democracy, Peaceful Disobedience,” discusses this theory, which posits that a deliberate plan exists to replace the indigenous population of Europe through immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries.
The book’s description on Amazon claims that it offers a framework for understanding societal changes and encourages readers to take action against what it terms the plans of the ruling class. The blurb also notes that the book contains over 1,200 references to mainstream sources.
Robinson’s past interactions with Amazon include a notable incident in 2019 when the company removed one of his books on the Qur'an, citing its policy to not sell inappropriate content. Robinson likened this decision to the book burnings of Nazi Germany. Despite this, Amazon has continued to offer a variety of products related to Robinson, including merchandise bearing his image.
In response to previous criticisms, Amazon has defended its platforming policies, stating, “As a store, we’ve chosen to offer a very broad range of viewpoints, including products that may be disagreeable, and we have guidance for our customers and selling partners about the items allowed for sale in our store.”
Both Amazon and Robinson have been contacted for further comment regarding this latest controversy.
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