Tommy Robinson not guilty of terror offence after not giving police access to phone

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found not guilty of a terror offence after not giving police access to his phone in July 2024.

The 42-year-old, who was charged under his real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was stopped by officers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone while driving a friend’s silver Bentley to Benidorm, Spain.

Police said they became suspicious of Robinson’s “vague replies” about his travel plans and detained him under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which allows officers to question people at UK ports to determine potential links to terrorism.

Delivering his verdict at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Judge Sam Goozee said he could not be sure the stop was lawful.

The court heard that officers later seized Robinson’s iPhone and asked him to provide the Pin.

He refused, arguing that the device contained confidential journalistic material and was subsequently charged with failing to comply with a duty under the Terrorism Act.

Judge Goozee said he found it concerning that officers who detained Robinson had “no real recollection” of questions asked during the 40-minute stop on 28 July last year.

He said the officers involved appeared confused about their powers and had failed to record clear reasons for selecting Robinson.

Judge Goozee said the stop “gave the impression of an arbitrary decision based on who you are” and concluded that “it was actually what you stood for and your beliefs that acted as the principal reason for the stop.”

Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said the “predominant influence” on PC Mitchell Thorogood’s decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”‘.

Supporters in the public gallery cheered as he was cleared of all charges. In a video recorded before the hearing, Robinson said his legal fees had been paid by Elon Musk, the Tesla boss billionaire.