Tommy Robinson's offer to donate his European Parliament salary to child victims of sex grooming gangs has been slammed as "an insult to survivors of abuse" by woman's rights groups who added that he is "no ally for the children he claims to stand up for."
A whole host of charities, including the End Violence Against Woman and Girls Coalition, penned an open letter which unanimously rejected the offer by the former English Defence League leader, who is standing as an MEP candidate in the North West of England.
The open letter, which has garnered the signatures of well over 40 woman from influential organisations says, "those who have suffered sexual and physical abuse were failed by those who should have protected them. But Tommy Robinson is no ally for the children he claims to stand up for."
"Tommy doesn't care about the rights of women and girls — he is exploiting the pain of survivors and their families to fuel racist hate for his own gain. He is a misogynist and has recklessly put victims at risk for his own moment of media spotlight," they add.
READ MORE: Strawberry Slam: Tommy Robinson Gets Pelted With Milkshake in Manchester (VIDEO)
Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, made the pledge to donate his hypothetical salary two weeks ago in a video posted on his Youtube channel.
There are those however, who don't agree with the open letter's arguments.
‘ Women’s groups’ — real name ‘Anti-Englishman covens’.are not in the least interested in the fate of young girls exploited and abused by those men who we all know are responsible. They see their role as encouraging society to ignore the truth that Tommy Robinson wishes to reveal
— Maxine Delaire (@delaire_maxine) 10 May 2019
So a charity will cut its nose of the spite its face.
— Kenzie🇬🇧 (@kenzingtonGB) 10 May 2019
They could use that money for good.
Pathetic
This article does not seem to be from a neutral perspective and whoever wrote it has the lexicon of a 13 year old.
— Matty C (@MattyC72216156) 10 May 2019
The signatories zeroed in on Mr Robinson's alleged framing of Muslims as being the key perpetrators behind grooming gangs, saying that, "Tommy Robinson's factually incorrect messages about ‘grooming', and his attempt to portray himself as a champion of the cause, are an insult to survivors of abuse."
Yet, Mr Robinson has bitten back at the claims, reportedly saying of those woman who penned the letter that, "they need to think of the victims, not of their own politicisation of the situation, that money is to go to any victims of sexual exploitation, including Muslims."
"They are in no position to turn down the money, they shouldn't be. They should be in the position to help victims and if that money helps victims, which it does, gets them off the waiting list for counselling, then they are playing with the victims, not me," Robinson added.
The news comes on the heels of two separate incidents this month in which Mr Robinson had milkshake thrown over him by critics while he was out campaigning in preparation for the 23 May European Parliamentary elections. Police are said to be investigating the incidents.
How was my man so casual 😂
— Az (@AzTheBaz) 2 May 2019
🎶 Tommy Robinson's milkshake brings all the boys to the yard 🎶 pic.twitter.com/M1sYUyp02w
