A far-left activist with a history of anti-Semitic online posts has been identified as the individual who verbally attacked Dame Helen Mirren on the streets, the Daily Mail has uncovered.
Tom Carroll, a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn from north London, was involved in an incident where he accosted Dame Helen and her husband, Taylor Hackford, in London. Carroll hurled abuse at the acclaimed actress, labeling her an “evil Zionist [Expletive].”
At 80 years old, the Oscar-winning Dame Helen has been vocal in her support for Israel, consistently opposing cultural boycotts against the nation.
The confrontation was captured in a video clip shared online by the Instagram account Anti-Fascist Action UK. The footage shows Dame Helen being approached on the street while walking with her husband.
The initial version of this video was shared on Instagram in November 2025 by the same account, @antifascistactionuk, as a longer clip.
This Wednesday, the account reposted the shorter clip, with a confirmation from the account operator that they filmed the incident.
The Daily Mail has established that the Instagram account is linked to a YouTube and PayPal account run by Carroll, who was tagged in an Instagram post linking him with the @antifascistactionuk account.
‘Activist’ identified online
Yesterday an X account called GnasherJew – a digital investigation team using open source intelligence to expose anti-Semites – named Carroll publicly, posting: ‘The individual behind the antifascistactionuk’s account on Instagram who reportedly called Helen Mirren ‘evil Zionist [Expletive]’ has been identified as Tom Carroll.’
A man identical to Carroll was included in a rogues gallery of Pro-Palestinian activists wanted by the Metropolitan Police in 2023 following a demonstration in central London where he was photographed with a loud hailer.
At the time, in November 2023, a month after the murderous October 7 attacks by Hamas and the violent Israeli response, Chief Superintendent Paul Trevers said: ‘We know the effect of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to have a significant impact on communities in London and we will do all we can to keep people safe.
‘Our officers continue to meet regularly with members of the Jewish and Muslim communities across the capital to provide reassurance and to respond to any concerns they may have.
‘We have also been clear that offences, such as hate crime and support for proscribed organisations, will not be tolerated and we continue to have a dedicated policing operation to investigate these crimes and identify offenders.’
Past assault probe
In 2018, Carroll was wanted in connection with a brutal assault on an 84-year-old woman at Shoreditch High Street station in east London whilst he was on his way from a violent far-Left protest.
Five years later he handed himself in to police in 2023 where he pleaded not guilty but was sentenced to 12 months’ probation & 200 hours’ community service for the lesser crime of threatening behaviour.
Since then, his Instagram account has been full of anti-Semitic tropes and conspiracy theories, such as suggesting that the Bondi Beach shooting was a ‘false flag’ or ‘staged’.
He has re-posted neo-Nazi propaganda alleging Jews declared war on Germany and are responsible for the Second World War, praising Adolf Hitler and suggested that Anne Frank’s diary was made up.
Other memes he has reposted include one stating: ‘It’s okay to be anti-Semitic.’
He was pictured at a Corbyn Kill the Bill rally in 2022 and at a Labour Party rally in 2018 in St Ives, Cornwall.
@dailymailau The antisemitic far-left activist who abused Dame Helen Mirren in the street has been identified as Corbyn supporter Tom Carroll, who has a history of posting antisemitic content online. Witnesses say he harangued the actress and her husband Taylor Hackford in London, calling her an “evil Zionist bitch”. #news #fyp #australia #auspol #helenmirren #london ♬ original sound – Daily Mail Australia
Anti-Zionist tirade
When accosted at first, Dame Helen, star of The Thursday Murder Club, appeared calm and polite, smiling as she greeted the man and asked if he was okay.
But the encounter quickly escalated as the stranger launched into an abusive tirade over the actress’s support for Israel.
He said: ‘And there is Helen Mirren the avowed Zionist. You said Israel should last forever because of the Holocaust. And she was very happy the Palestinians’ houses were gone.
‘You are an evil Zionist [Expletive]. And you [Mr Hackford] as well, [Expletive] you as well.’
As the situation became increasingly hostile, Mr Hackford stepped in and repeatedly told the man to [Expletive] off’ and leave them alone.
Dame Helen has long been outspoken in her support for Israel and opposition to cultural boycotts against the country.
Just last month, she signed an open letter alongside stars including Amy Schumer, Mila Kunis, Sharon Osbourne and Boy George backing Israel’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The actress has also portrayed several notable Jewish figures on screen including Maria Altmann in Woman In Gold and former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the 2023 film Golda.
Speaking previously about Israel, Dame Helen said: ‘I believe in Israel, in the existence of Israel, and I believe Israel has to go forward into the future, for the rest of eternity… I believe in Israel because of the Holocaust.’
The comments were made during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 in 2023 while promoting Golda, which focused on Meir’s leadership during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Dame Helen also revealed that some people had attempted to persuade her not to take the role because of Israel’s controversial position on the world stage.
However, she defended her decision, saying: ‘I’ve met such extraordinary people in Israel.’
She added: ‘I know there is a base, a foundation of deep intelligence, thoughtfulness, commitment, poetry even in Israel that is very, very special.’
The actress first visited Israel in 1967 shortly after the Six Day War, volunteering on Kibbutz HaOn near the Sea of Galilee and hitchhiking around the country.
She has also spoken out strongly against cultural boycotts of Israel, arguing that abandoning Israeli artists would be counterproductive.
Despite her support for Israel’s right to exist, Dame Helen has also indicated she does not support every action of the Israeli government and has voiced concern over the country’s political direction.
Carroll, the Metropolitan Police and Dame Helen’s representatives were contacted.
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