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

Since not allowing police access to his phone in July 2024, far-right activist Tommy Robinson was not guilty of a terror offense. Officers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone stopped the 42-year-old, who was charged under his real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, from driving his friend's silver Bentley to Benidorm, Spain, preventing him Robinson's vague responses regarding his travel plans made them suspicious, according to police. Officers confiscated Robinson's iPhone and begged him to hand over the Pin, but he refused to provide the Pin because the device contained classified journalistic information. Judge Sam Goozee said he could not be certain the arrest was legal while giving his verdict at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

I cannot put out of your mind that it was actually what you stood for and your political convictions that served as the primary reason for this stop,

Mr Goozee said.

He was arrested under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which allows officers to question individuals at UK ports to determine their potential links to terrorism. Judge Goozee expressed concern over the fact that officers who arrested Robinson had

no actual recall

of questions asked during the 40-minute stop on July 28th last year. According to him, the officers concerned were confused about their positions and had failed to give specific reasons for selecting Robinson. The stop

gives the appearance of a random decision based on who you are,

the judge said. Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said the

predominant influence

on PC Mitchell Thorogood's decision to suspend him was

oh look, it's Tommy Supporters in the public gallery applauded as he was cleared of all charges. Robinson said his court fees had been paid by Elon Musk, the Tesla billionaire, in a video posted before the hearing.