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Far-right figure Tommy Robinson has been acquitted of a terrorism charge for refusing police access to his phone in July 2024. Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was stopped by authorities at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone while driving a friend’s silver Bentley to Benidorm, Spain. The authorities grew suspicious of Robinson’s vague responses regarding his trip, prompting them to confiscate his iPhone and demand the Pin, which he declined citing the presence of sensitive journalistic content on the device.
During the verdict at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Judge Sam Goozee expressed uncertainty about the legality of the stop. The Judge stated, “I cannot help but consider that it was your beliefs and political stance that primarily led to this stop.” Robinson was detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, enabling authorities to interrogate individuals at UK ports to uncover possible ties to terrorism. Judge Goozee criticized the officers involved for their lack of clarity on the questions asked during the 40-minute stop on 28 July the previous year.
Alisdair Williamson KC, Robinson’s defense lawyer, argued that PC Mitchell Thorogood’s decision to detain him was heavily influenced by Robinson’s identity. The judge highlighted the officers’ apparent confusion over their powers and the absence of clear justifications for targeting Robinson. Following the verdict, Robinson’s supporters in the courtroom erupted into cheers as he was exonerated of all charges. In a pre-hearing video, Robinson mentioned that his legal expenses had been covered by Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla
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