Tommy Robinson charged with terror offences after reporting to police station
TOMMY Robinson has been charged with terror offences.
The political activist arrived this afternoon at Folkestone Police Station in Kent in a black Nissan Elgrand.
He hugged supporters waiting outside for him, who then cheered as he entered the station.
Robinson, 41 – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – has been charged with failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act.
Robinson earlier claimed on social media he had been told to hand himself in to a police station.
Kent Police had said in July a 41-year-old man was detained by officers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.
Under schedule seven of the Terrorism Act, police are allowed 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”.
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.
Robinson said he objected to a request from police for the PIN to his phone because there was privileged information on the device relating to an ongoing High Court case.
He has been remanded and remains in custody at the direction of the High Court and is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 13.
DEMONSTRATION
His supporters are due to hold a demonstration on Saturday, which is expected to be met with a counter-protest from Stop the War campaigners.
The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are due to be supported by officers from other forces across the country as the Met said there will be a “significant police presence” to ensure the two groups are kept apart.
Robinson posted a video on X to say he was going to attend Folkestone police station at 3pm on Friday, but didn’t give a reason.
On Saturday, the protest organised by Robinson is due to march from Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest organised by Stand up to Racism will begin at Regent Street St James’s and finish at the north end of Whitehall.
The Met said static rallies are expected at the end of both marches.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the policing operation, said: “We are well prepared for what is set to be a busy day in the centre of London.
“Our role is to ensure that those attending the various events can do so safely and that they can exercise their right to lawful protest.
“We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum.
“We know that when groups with opposing views come together it can lead to conflict and disorder, and a key part of our role is ensuring that does not happen.
“We have used Public Order Act conditions to ensure that those involved stick to routes and assembly areas that are sufficiently far apart. Officers will be monitoring closely to ensure that conditions are adhered to.”
Ms Williams continued: “The impact of frequent significant protest in central London is considerable, not least on the officers deployed to police them.
“Many would be working in other frontline roles if they weren’t required for these events.
“We’re grateful for the assistance of colleagues from other forces whose contribution means we are able to police protests while also keeping local communities across London safe.”
Robinson was issued with a contempt of court claim against him following the airing of a film at a protest in central London.
He is alleged to have breached a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.
It is understood the airing of a film, titled Silenced, at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in July is one of six actions claimed to have breached the injunction between June and July this year.
The film is also pinned to the top of his X account.
The political campaigner is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday for a two-day hearing in relation to the alleged contempt of court.
He was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country, with Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, telling the High Court that there “was nothing to prevent him from doing so”.
Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant for Robinson’s arrest but ordered that it not be carried out “until early October” to allow Robinson time to indicate that he would attend the next hearing voluntarily or to apply to “set aside” the warrant.
Robinson posted a video of himself arriving at Luton Airport on October 20 and said he was surprised he had not been arrested.
The activist applied to set aside the warrant but his application was dismissed by Mr Justice Johnson on Friday.
Under the 2021 court order, Robinson was barred from repeating allegations he made against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi.
Mr Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.
After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case.
Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi £100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations he made against the then-teenager.