Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been discovered not responsible of a terrorist offense after denying police entry to his cellphone in July 2024.
The 42-year-old man, who was charged beneath his actual identify Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was stopped by officers on the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone as he drove to Benidorm, Spain, in his pal's silver Bentley automobile.
Police mentioned they grew to become suspicious of Robinson's “vague answers” about his journey plans and detained him beneath Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which permits officers to interrogate vacationers at UK ports to find out attainable hyperlinks to terrorism.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard that officers later confiscated Robinson's iPhone and requested him to supply his PIN.
He refused, arguing that the system contained confidential journalistic materials and was later charged with failing to carry out responsibility beneath the Terrorism Act.
The court docket heard that officers who detained Robinson had “no actual recollection” of the questions requested throughout a 40-minute cease on July 28 final 12 months.
Delivering his verdict at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Judge Sam Goosey mentioned the case centered on whether or not the ban was imposed legally and with none discrimination.
He mentioned the officers concerned appeared confused about their powers and did not file clear causes for choosing Robinson.
Judge Gozzi mentioned the cease “gave the appearance of an arbitrary decision based on who you are” and concluded that “in reality it was what you stood for and your beliefs that served as the primary reason for the stop.”
Supporters within the public gallery cheered when he was acquitted of all prices. In a video recorded earlier than the listening to, Robinson mentioned his authorized charges have been paid for by billionaire Tesla boss Elon Musk.
With inputs from BBC