Bravo Tommy Robinson, do drop in for tea when you're passing

[Týr]

What a wonderful piece of news. I'm much impressed. Quite moved. One wonders where events like this might lead.English Defence League leader and founder Tommy Robinson has left the group, saying he has concerns over the "dangers of far-right extremism". The EDL organises protests across the UK against "radical Islam".

[...]Mr Robinson said it was still his aim to "counter Islamist ideology", although "not with violence but with better, democratic ideas".

Mr Robinson said: "I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive. "I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas."

He explained his motives for leaving, telling BBC Radio 5 live's Nicky Campbell: "When some moron lifts up his top and he's got the picture of a mosque saying 'boom' and it's all over the national newspapers, it's me, it's when I pick up my kids from school the parents are looking at me, judging me on that.

"And that's not what I've stood for and my decision to do this is to be true to what I stand for. And whilst I want to lead the revolution against Islamist ideology, I don't want to lead the revolution against Muslims. I believe that the revolution needs to come from within the Islamic community and they need to stand up. And I believe this is a step forward not a step back."

BBC News - EDL leader Tommy Robinson quits group

Quite why Mr Robinson singles out Islam from the other monotheist religions I'm not sure. In my opinion all are tarred with the same unacceptable intransigent we're-right you're-damned dogmatic mentality from which they'll never free themselves. Even so, the man's a hero for taking such a major step back from physical confrontation.