![\"Pic:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/skynews-tommy-robinson-westminster-magistrates_7051003.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTommy Robinson’s arrest at the Channel Tunnel last year was “discriminatory” as it was based on police’s knowledge of his political beliefs, a barrister representing the right-wing activist has told a court.<\/p>\n
The 42-year-old was stopped in Folkestone in July last year while behind the wheel of a luxury Bentley Bentayga that was not registered in his name.<\/p>\n
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was heading to Benidorm on Spain’s Costa Blanca, carrying more than \u00a313,000 and \u20ac1,900.<\/p>\n
Under the Terrorism Act, police can 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”.<\/p>\n
Officers said they were suspicious of “vague replies” Robinson gave about his movements and demanded access to his iPhone under schedule 7 of the act.<\/p>\n
Robinson, who was recognised by police, was led to an interview room and his phone was seized, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.<\/p>\n
He is accused of “frustrating” counter-terrorism powers by refusing to give access to the phone.<\/p>\n
Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said the officers’ actions were “discriminatory” because they were based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic”.<\/p>\n
He claimed the “predominant influence” on PC Mitchell Thorogood’s decision to stop him was: “‘Oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson.'”<\/p>\n
He added: “If MI5 didn’t think that Mr Lennon is a terrorist, what did PC Thorogood think he was going to learn by asking him about publicly available information?”<\/p>\n
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Image:
\n Pic: PA<\/p>\n
Mr Williamson alleged officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known.<\/p>\n
The KC told the court Robinson travels to Benidorm regularly, suggesting that should have lessened the officer’s suspicions about him.<\/p>\n
He claimed there was “no evidence that the stop was carried out diligently or expeditiously” and that it was a “fishing expedition” because there was nothing to link Robinson to terrorism.<\/p>\n
But prosecutor Jo Morris said the officer was concerned because of the former English Defence League (EDL) leader’s “notoriety for associating with far-right activists”.<\/p>\n
She added: “It is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she added.<\/p>\n
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