A family located in Redcar, North Yorkshire, has reported severe disturbance in their lives following the sharing of a video by Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist. The video showed Olajuwon Ayeni, a musician and a black man, and his brother playing with their white granddaughters in a local park. The video was subsequently used by the far right to spread misinformation and racial abuse, labeling Ayeni as a pedophile.
Since the incident, Olajuwon and his brother have suffered racial abuse and threats, leading to Olajuwon’s suspension by his management due to the spread of misinformation. In defense of Olajuwon, the couple’s local MP, Anna Turley, had to provide a reference attesting to his good character. The family now lives in fear, with threats being made against them even at their own home. They have also reported limited police support, with the opinion that sharing the video, while constituting a criminal personal threat, does not in itself break the law.
Cleveland Police are offering their support and urging the public not to share the video or any misleading information about the individuals featured.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/20/family-in-fear-after-tommy-robinson-shares-video-of-black-man-with-white-granddaughters
