Tommy Robinson ‘refused to hand over PIN when stopped in Bentley’

Former EDL leader Tommy Robinson failed to provide police with the pin to his mobile when stopped at the Channel Tunnel in his silver Bentley, a court heard. a court heard.

The 42-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Lennon, said he was on his way to Benidorm when he was arrested under ‘anti-terror laws’ in Folkestone, Kent, on July 28 last year.

Robinson replied ‘not a chance bruv’ when police demanded he hand over his mobile pin and claimed his device contained ‘journalistic material’, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

The political activist was charged with ‘wilfully failing to comply with a duty imposed by Schedule 7’ under the Terrorism Act’ when he refused to give police his pin at around 10am.

Robinson, of Bedfordshire, denies the charge.

Wearing a dark navy waistcoat and a white shirt, he appeared in the dock today (mon) speaking to confirm his personal details.

Prosecutor Jo Morris said: ‘On July 28 last year, two police officers stopped Lennon as he drove a silver Bentley into the lane of the Channel Tunnel.

‘An officer enquired about Mr Lennon’s travel and became concerned about his demeanour.’

Ms Morris said he handed over his passport but ‘gave vague replies and very little eye contact.

‘He was driving a high value vehicle. Mr Lennon said he was driving to Benidorm for two days to leave the vehicle there and then to return to home.’

Ms Morris said officers had ‘doubts as to the truth of Lennon’s accounts’ and their ‘knowledge of Mr Lennon’s past.’

She continued: ‘We say the activity was unusual and that there was possible terrorist activity.’

Some of Robinson’s supporters shook their heads and smiled at eachother as they viewed proceedings via a video-link upstairs.

Ms Morris added: ‘Mr Lennon performed a voice note on his mobile phone detailing that he was stopped and he began to film the officers.’

He was later escorted out of his car to a ‘back entrance of an examination suite.’

Ms Morris said: ‘He signed his copy of a notice. Police explained his legal rights and told him he must provide any pin code for any electronic device.

‘Mr Lennon was given a copy of the public info leaflet and allowed time to read it, explaining his rights and responsibilities.

‘Mr Lennon and his luggage was searched, and £13,370 in pounds and €1,910 euros were found in a small bag.

‘His Apple iPhone was seized and at 10.35am Mr Lennon said he had journalistic information on his phone and would therefore not give his Pin number.’

Mr Lennon was later interviewed by police at 11am, 11.50am, and 12.49pm, but still refused to give them the Pin, the court heard.

Giving evidence PC Mitchell Thorogood said he questioned Robinson for a period of ‘34 seconds’.

Mr Thorogood said: ‘I asked him where he was going and for his tickets to see how he had paid for them and I was unhappy with the account given.’

He added that Robinson was driving a ‘high powered motor’ which was ‘unusual to come through the Channel.’

Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson’s arrest was ‘not properly aligned with the conditions of the Terrorism Act’ and that references to his political beliefs were ‘discriminatory’.

Mr Williamson added: ‘His rights as a journalist were not sufficiently protected.’

The trial continues.
mfl