Far-right figure Tommy Robinson was acquitted on Tuesday of violating British counterterrorism laws by refusing to provide his phone’s passcode to police during a July 2024 border stop. Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a prominent figure in the anti-immigration movement in the UK and is considered a leading voice for some British nationalists.
The incident occurred when Robinson was stopped by police at the Channel Tunnel train terminal in southeastern England. Prosecutors during a trial last month at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court highlighted that police became suspicious due to Robinson’s behavior, driving a luxurious vehicle, and traveling to Spain on a last-minute ticket.
During the encounter, officers confiscated Robinson’s phone and requested the passcode to unlock it. Robinson, identifying himself as a journalist with sensitive information on the device, declined to comply. Judge Sam Goozee, in delivering the verdict, criticized the police for what appeared to be detaining Robinson based on his political stance, deeming the stop unlawful.
Following the ruling, Robinson expressed gratitude to Elon Musk, attributing the funding of his legal defense to the billionaire. Musk, known for reposting Robinson’s content and participating remotely in a recent London rally orchestrated by Robinson, has been a vocal supporter.
Robinson has maintained that he was unfairly targeted by authorities for exposing misconduct, although critics label him as a far-right instigator with a history of criminal convictions. Reacting to the judgment, Robinson emphasized the significance of the court’s acknowledgment of his political persecution and reaffirmed his stance as a journalist who was unjustly pursued by counterterrorism forces.
