Tommy Robinson cleared of terror offence after being stopped driving Bentley

Tommy Robinson has been cleared of a terror offence after refusing to give police his phone Pin when he was stopped at the border in a Bentley with thousands of pounds in cash.

Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was driving a silver Bentayga SUV to the Spanish tourist hotspot of Benidorm when he was stopped by officers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

Police were suspicious of Robinson’s “vague replies” about what he was doing and demanded access to his iPhone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act.

The Act gives police the power to stop anyone passing through a UK port “to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

On Tuesday, District Judge Sam Goozee found Robinson not guilty of failing to comply with the counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year.

Mr Goozee said: “I cannot put out of my mind that it was actually what you stood for and your political beliefs that acted for the principle reason for this stop.”

He also said that Pc Mitchell Thorogood’s decision to stop Robinson was based on a “protected characteristic”, adding: “I cannot convict you.”

Mr Goozee said he found it concerning that the officers could not remember what questions they had asked Robinson and were “confused” about what powers they had to stop him.

There were cheers in the public gallery and Robinson left the dock with his hands in his hoodie pocket.

Robinson had faced a three-week wait for his verdict because he had a pre-planned trip to Israel.

Trial

As the two-day trial took place last month, the former English Defence League (EDL) leader said in a video posted on X that billionaire Elon Musk had “picked up the legal bill” for “this absolute state persecution”.

Before Tuesday’s hearing, Robinson thanked the tech tycoon for paying for his defence which he said cost “nearly £100,000”.

Opening the case, prosecutor Jo Morris said officers “became concerned” about the activist’s “demeanour” after he drove alone into the police inspection area.

“He gave short, vague replies and made no eye contact,” she continued.

Robinson, who was recognised by police, was led to an interview room and his phone was seized, the court heard.

On the way there, he tried to film a video of himself saying he had been arrested, and was told by officers to “relax”, the trial was told.

‘Journalist’

Asked to hand over the phone’s Pin, Robinson replied: “Not a chance bruv … you look like c***s so you ain’t having it.”

“It’s my work, I’m a journalist,” he said, adding that the phone held information about “vulnerable girls”.

“The process by which journalistic material would be protected was explained to him,” Ms Morris said.

The court heard that while being interviewed, Robinson told the officers: “For me it’s a win-win, it’s going to be bad for yous.”

The campaigner had more than £13,000 and 1,900 euros on him when he was stopped and was travelling in a high-value car that was not registered under his name, the trial heard.

He had also booked his tickets to travel on the day, the court was told.

Under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, the person who is detained can be held for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions and must provide the password or Pin for electronic devices, or be held to have committed a criminal offence if they refuse.

Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, had said the stop and detention was unlawful because officers had taken a “discriminatory stance” based on their knowledge of Robinson’s views.

Suspicions

Mr Williamson said the officers’ intervention was discriminatory because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic”.

He said the “predominant influence” on Pc Mitchell Thorogood’s decision to stop him was “’oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson’”.

Mr Williamson added: “If MI5 didn’t think that Mr Lennon is a terrorist, what did Pc Thorogood think he was going to learn by asking him about publicly available information?”

He suggested Robinson travelled to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the officer’s suspicions about him.

The lawyer said there was “no evidence that the stop was carried out diligently or expeditiously”, and that it was a “fishing expedition” as there was nothing to link Robinson to terrorism.