UK far-right figure Tommy Robinson back in court over refusal to give phone PIN to police
Robinson had refused a police order to unlock his phone, claiming it contained videos related to his journalism work
UK activist Tommy Robinson, who organised a huge far-right march in London last month, returned to court on Monday for refusing to divulge his telephone PIN to counterterrorism police in 2024.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was met by a handful of supporters outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
The 42-year-old has denied a charge brought under Britain’s Terrorism Act, under which a person who is detained can be held for up to six hours, and is legally obliged to answer questions and provide the password or PIN for electronic devices.
He had been stopped in the southeastern port of Folkestone driving a silver Bentley that was not registered in his name and found to have £13,000 (US$17,300) as well as some €1,700 in cash.
He told police he was driving to Benidorm in Spain via the Channel Tunnel but refused to provide police with his PIN because his mobile contained videos which he said related to his journalism work.