Tommy Robinson found not guilty over border stop terror charge
Tommy Robinson was found not guilty after being charged with terrorism offenses for refusing to allow police access to his phone when he was stopped in a Bentley at the border with thousands of pounds in cash.
A court heard that Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was driving to the Spanish tourist hub of Benidorm in a silver Bentayga SUV when he was stopped by officers in the Channel Tunnel last year.
Police became suspicious of the 42-year-old’s “vague answers” about what he was doing and requested access to his iPhone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, which gives police powers to stop anyone passing through a UK port “to determine whether they are involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorist acts”.
On Tuesday, District Judge Sam Goozee found Robinson not guilty of failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident in Folkestone on July 28 last year.
Mr Goozee said: “I can’t get it out of my mind that the main reason for this stance is actually what you stand for and your political beliefs.”
He also said Pc Mitchell Thorogood’s decision to stop Robinson was based on a “protected characteristic”, adding: “I cannot convict you.”
There were cheers in the public gallery as Robinson left the dock with his hands in his hoodie pockets.
The far-right figure faced a three-week wait for his decision because he had a previously planned trip to Israel.
As the two-day hearing took place last month, the former English Defense League (EDL) leader said billionaire Elon Musk had “picked up the legal bill” for “this absolute state tyranny” in a video published on X.
Prosecutor Jo Morris, who opened the case, said officers were “concerned” about the activist’s “behavior” after he entered the police area alone. “He gave short, vague answers and did not make eye contact,” she continued.
The court heard Robinson, who was known to police, was taken to an interview room and his phone was confiscated.
The hearing was told that on the way there he tried to make a video saying he was being arrested and was told to “relax” by police officers.
When asked to give the phone’s PIN, Robinson replied: “No chance mate… you look like a s*** so you don’t have it.”
“This is my job, I am a journalist,” he said, adding that the phone carried information about “vulnerable girls”.
“It was explained to him how journalistic material would be protected,” Ms Morris said.
The court heard Robinson told officers during questioning: “For me it’s a win-win, for you it’ll be bad.”
The hearing heard the campaigner had more than £13,000 and €1,900 on him when he was stopped and was traveling in a high-value car not registered in his name.
He also booked his tickets for the trip that day, the court was told.
Under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, the detained person can be detained for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions and must provide the password or Pin for electronic devices, or if he refuses he is guilty of a criminal offence.
Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said the stop and detention were unlawful because the police officers had taken a “discriminatory attitude” based on their knowledge of Robinson’s views.
Mr Williamson said the officers’ intervention was discriminatory because it was based on a “significantly protected characteristic”.
Pc Mitchell said the “overriding influence” in Thorogood’s decision to stop him was “‘oh look, Tommy Robinson'”.
Mr Williamson added: “If MI5 did not think Mr Lennon was a terrorist, what did Pc Thorogood think he would find out by asking him about publicly available information?”
He suggested that Robinson travel to Benidorm regularly, which must have eased the officer’s suspicions about him.
The lawyer said there was “no evidence that the stop was carried out with care or speed” and that it was a “fishing expedition” as there was nothing to link Robinson to terrorism.
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