Far-right figure Tommy Robinson was acquitted on Tuesday of violating British counterterrorism laws by declining to provide authorities with his phone’s passcode during a border stop in July 2024. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a prominent anti-immigration advocate in the UK and a leading voice for some British nationalists.
The incident occurred when Robinson was intercepted by police at the Channel Tunnel train terminal in southeast England. Prosecutors at a recent trial alleged 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.
During the encounter, law enforcement officers confiscated Robinson’s phone and requested the passcode to unlock it. Robinson, identifying himself as a journalist with confidential content on the device, refused to comply. In delivering the verdict, Judge Sam Goozee suggested that Robinson had been detained based on his political views, deeming the stop unlawful.
Following the court decision, Robinson expressed gratitude to Elon Musk, claiming the billionaire had supported his legal defense. Musk, known for sharing Robinson’s content on social media, also made a virtual appearance at a recent London rally organized by Robinson, drawing a crowd of around 150,000 attendees.
Robinson maintains that he was unfairly targeted by authorities for exposing misconduct, although critics portray him as a divisive far-right figure with a history of criminal convictions. In response to the judgment, Robinson emphasized the significance of the court’s acknowledgment of the alleged political motivations behind his detainment.
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