FORMER English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson blamed his failure to get elected to the European Parliament on being banned from social media platforms.

The far-right activist, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, came in eighth place in the North West England region.

He won just 2.24 per cent of the vote coming behind both UKIP and the new Change UK party.

Mr Robinson held campaign meetings in Highercroft Blackburn and on The Stoops Estate in Burnley two days before Thursday’s Euro poll.

Labour canvassers said his presence in the election helped turn out its voters even when many were observing the Islamic Ramadan fast.

Mr Robinson won 2.7 per cent of the Blackburn with Darwen vote and 4.4 in Burnley.

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Speaking at Sunday’s count in Manchester, he said: “Trump won his campaign on social media. Brexit was won on social media. I’m banned from social media.

“So my ability to fight a fair campaign is gone. I have been fighting with my hands tied behind my back.

“This has proved you cannot have a fair campaign when the establishment and the Government interfere and remove any ability you have to talk to the public. My supporters are not allowed to mention my name or they get deleted. It’s dark.”

“I am just happy if I got non-voters to vote. I’m happy if I politicised people from working class communities.”

Blackburn with Darwen Labour agent Cllr Phil Riley said: “The presence of a far-right activist on the ballot paper provided an incentive for anti-racists across East Lancashire to vote on Thursday.”

Mr Robinson secured 3.2 per cent of the vote in Hyndburn, 2.1 in Pendle, 1.5 in Ribble Valley and 3.1 in Rossendale.