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 activist in the UK and is known for his nationalist views. The incident occurred at the Channel Tunnel train terminal in southeast England where Robinson was stopped by police.
During a trial last month at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors argued that Robinson’s behavior, his use of a high-value vehicle, and his spontaneous trip to Spain raised suspicions among officers. When asked to unlock his phone, Robinson, claiming to be a journalist with confidential content on the device, refused to comply.
In delivering the verdict, Judge Sam Goozee criticized the police’s actions, suggesting that Robinson was detained due to his political stance, rendering the stop unjust. Following the ruling, Robinson expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for supporting his legal defense, highlighting the tech mogul’s involvement in his case.
Robinson has maintained that he was unfairly targeted by authorities for his activism, while critics have labeled him a divisive far-right figure with a history of criminal convictions. In response to the court decision, Robinson emphasized the significance of the judgment in acknowledging the political motives behind the scrutiny he faced.
