Tommy Robinson terror verdict delayed because he is ‘flying to Israel as guest’

Tommy Robinson has had his verdict delayed because he is going to fly to Israel ‘as a guest of the government’.

Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been accused of failing to comply with counter-terror powers as he was stopped from driving to Benidorm at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone in July last year.

The 42-year-old specifically refused to give officer’s the PIN to unlock his phone, Westminster Crown Court heard.

Police said they grew suspicious of Robinson due to his ‘vague replies’ about what he was doing and demanded access to his iPhone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act.

But Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said the stop and detention was unlawful because officers had taken a ‘discriminatory stance’ based on their knowledge of Robinson’s views.

Now District Judge Sam Goozee will not hand down his ruling until November 4- because the former English Defence League leader is travelling to Israel.

The judge said he would ‘accommodate’ his ‘current travel arrangements’.

Posting on X after the decision, Robinson said: ‘Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London.

‘I’m leaving soon for a trip to Israel — a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad.’

He also thanked billionaire Elon Musk for ‘picking up the legal bill’ for ‘this absolute state persecution’.

Mr Williamson said Robinson travelled to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the officer’s suspicions about him.

He said there was ‘no evidence that the stop was carried out diligently or expeditiously’, and that it was a ‘fishing expedition’ as there was nothing to link Robinson to terrorism.

Prosecutor Jo Morris said the officer had concerns about Mr Robinson’s ‘notoriety for associating with far-right activists’.

‘It is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,’ she added.

Robinson, who was recognised by police, was led to an interview room and his phone was seized, the court heard.

On the way there, he tried to film a video of himself saying he had been arrested, and was told by officers to ‘relax’, the trial was told.

Asked to hand over the phone’s PIN, Robinson replied: ‘Not a chance bruv… you look like c***s, so you ain’t having it.’

‘It’s my work, I’m a journalist,’ he said, adding that the phone held information about ‘vulnerable girls’.

‘The process by which journalistic material would be protected was explained to him,’ Ms Morris said.

The campaigner had more than £13,000 and 1,900 euros on him when he was stopped and was travelling in a high-value car that was not registered under his name, the trial heard.

He had also booked his tickets to travel on the day, the court was told.

The court heard that while being interviewed, Robinson told the officers: ‘For me it’s a win-win, it’s going to be bad for yous.’

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

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.