"That would be the way for Tommy Robinson to win the European elections" (Image: GETTY )
The Tory backbencher made the incendiary claim on his weekly ‘Moggcast’ podcast, hosted by ConservativeHome. Former EDL leader Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been working with Ukip leader Gerard Batten. Nigel Farage, the party’s former leader, resigned from Ukip last December in protest at the arrangement.
Mr Rees-Mogg commented: “I would be very concerned if there were a delay in our departure date, that would be the way for Tommy Robinson to win the European elections.
“If we have a delay, if we go beyond July, then there would be European elections that people don’t really care about, it would be a free hit to vote for an extremist.
“Bear in mind it wasn’t that long ago that the BNP won seats in the European Parliament.
“It is an opportunity to protest, and I think the protest would be huge.”
European elections are due to take place between May 23 and 26, with the Parliament reconvening on July 2.
READ MORE: Brexit NOT impacting UK employment as numbers in work SOAR
Tommy Robinson at a UKIP backed pro-Brexit rally in December (Image: GETTY)
The UK is due to formally leave the EU on March 29, but there have been suggestions this could be delayed.
Prime Minister Theresa May is currently
