In a significant legal decision, British far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been acquitted of a terror-related charge. This ruling follows his refusal to provide police with the pin code for his mobile phone during a border control stop. The case garnered attention due to Robinson’s prominent position as the former leader of the far-right English Defence League, known by his birth name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
The incident occurred in July 2024 at the Channel Tunnel in southeastern England, as Robinson was on his way to Benidorm, Spain. He was detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which empowers authorities to question individuals at UK ports to establish any potential involvement in terrorism.
Details of the Encounter
According to prosecutors during the proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, police became suspicious of Robinson due to his demeanor, the luxurious vehicle he was driving—a friend’s Bentley Bentayga SUV—and the fact that he purchased a ticket only on the day of travel. When questioned about the pin for his iPhone, Robinson declined to share it, citing the presence of “journalistic material.”
In his ruling delivered on Tuesday, Judge Sam Goozee stated that Robinson’s detention appeared to stem more from his political beliefs than any legitimate concern about terrorism. He emphasized that the reasons for the stop were not grounded in credible suspicion. “I cannot put out of my mind that it was actually what you stood for and your beliefs that acted as the principal reason for the stop,” Goozee remarked to Robinson.
Reactions and Implications
The judge also criticized the police officers involved, noting their lack of a clear recollection of the interrogation they conducted during the 40-minute stop. Following the verdict, Robinson expressed gratitude towards tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who he claimed had financed his legal fees in this case.
“Why has it taken an American businessman to fight for our justice here and our fight against terrorism charges for journalists?”
Robinson expressed satisfaction with the judgment, stating that it affirmed that he had been targeted due to his political views. Known for his controversial opinions, particularly against Islam and minorities, Robinson remains a polarizing figure in British politics.
Elon Musk, who frequently shares Robinson’s posts on social media platform X, recently participated via video link in an anti-immigration rally organized by Robinson in London. Robinson’s legal troubles are extensive, with a criminal history that includes convictions for theft, assault, and fraud. In 2024, he served an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court related to inflammatory statements made about a Syrian refugee.