Tommy Robinson Jailed After Terrorism Charge Over Phone PIN Refusal; Thousands Rally in London

Oct 25, 2024, 05:11 PM

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been charged under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act for failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone. He handed himself in at a police station in Folkestone, Kent, on October 25 and was remanded in custody until his court appearance on October 28. Robinson had been stopped by police in Folkestone on July 28 but refused to provide his phone's PIN code, leading to the charge. He is also facing contempt of court allegations and could face up to four years in jail. Robinson was due to lead a major demonstration called the "Unite the Kingdom" march in London on October 26, but will now miss the event. Despite his absence, thousands of his supporters gathered in central London for the planned protest, which drew an estimated 40,000 attendees. The march prompted a significant police presence, with the Metropolitan Police imposing conditions to prevent disorder amid fears of clashes with counter-protesters organized by Stand Up To Racism and other anti-racism groups. Robinson's arrest has been met with mixed reactions, with some of his supporters labeling him a political prisoner and decrying the charges as an attack on free speech. The demonstration proceeded without Robinson, with his supporters voicing concerns over mass immigration and two-tier policing. The event highlighted ongoing tensions in the UK over issues of immigration and far-right activism.