Far-right figure Tommy Robinson was acquitted on Tuesday of violating British counterterrorism laws by declining to provide police with his phone’s passcode during a July 2024 border stop. Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a prominent anti-immigration advocate in Britain and a figurehead for certain factions of British nationalists.
The incident took place when Robinson was stopped by police at the Channel Tunnel train terminal in southeast England. Prosecutors at a recent trial at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court indicated that an officer grew suspicious due to Robinson’s behavior, the luxury vehicle he was driving (a friend’s silver Bentley), and his last-minute ticket purchase for a trip to Benidorm, Spain.
Subsequently, the officer and colleagues confiscated Robinson’s phone and requested the passcode to unlock it. Robinson, claiming to be a journalist with sensitive information on his device, refused to comply.
In delivering the verdict, Judge Sam Goozee suggested that Robinson was detained based on his political viewpoints, deeming the stop unlawful. Following the ruling, Robinson expressed gratitude to entrepreneur Elon Musk for financing his legal defense, highlighting the involvement of an American figure in supporting their cause.
Robinson has alleged that he was singled out by authorities for uncovering misconduct, although critics portray him as a far-right instigator with a criminal record. He emphasized the judge’s decision as a validation of his stance, accusing the government and counterterrorism units of targeting him under the guise of journalistic pursuits.
