Tommy Robinson refused to give phone Pin to protect 'journalistic material'

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has said that he refused to give police his mobile phone Pin when he was stopped at the entry to the Channel Tunnel because it had "journalist material" on it, a court has heard.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was charged under the Terrorism Act after allegedly failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers in Folkestone in July 2024.

He is on trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court and has pleaded not guilty.

A person who is detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act is legally obliged provide the password or Pin for electronic devices.

If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three months and/or receive a £2,500 fine.

Robinson's trial began on Monday and is expected to last two days. He is charged under his real name and is being referred to as Mr Lennon in court.

The 42-year-old sat in the dock of the court in a navy waistcoat and tie and confirmed his name.

PC Mitchell Thorogood, a counter-terrorism officer with Kent Police, told the court that he was on duty policing vehicles travelling to France at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone on 28 July 2024.

He described seeing a silver Bentley with a lone driver that he said was "an unusual car to come through". The driver was Mr Lennon.

He said that before he stopped the vehicle, he "had a belief that it was Mr Lennon".

PC Thorogood said he asked Mr Lennon where he was going and that he was "unhappy" with the account Mr Lennon gave.

"He was travelling a far distance with a vehicle that wasn't his," PC Thorogood said.

Mr Lennon said he was going to Benidorm and had not bought a ticket in advance, which the officer said was also "unusual". He said Mr Lennon did not make eye contact.

PC Thorogood described detaining Mr Lennon under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act. He said Mr Lennon started filming him, and the officers took away his mobile phone.

"He refused to provide the Pin number, saying there was journalist material in his phone," PC Thorogood said.

Jo Morris, for the prosecution, said that Mr Lennon had used an expletive at officers, who also found a small bag in the Bentley containing £13,370 and €1,910 (£1,660).

District Judge Sam Goozee said Mr Lennon's address should not be published, after the defendant's barrister Alisdair Williamson KC said there were "credible threats against Mr Lennon's life".

The public gallery at the back of court was packed with more than 30 of his supporters, who had queued from early morning. One was wearing a red Mega (Make England Great Again) baseball cap.