Tommy Robinson appears in court over Schedule 7 PIN refusal

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the political activist known as Tommy Robinson, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday after being charged under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for allegedly refusing to provide the PIN for his mobile phone when stopped at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on July 28, 2024. The 42-year-old is due to stand trial following a charge that he wilfully failed to comply with a duty imposed under Schedule 7.

According to the charge sheet, officers stopped Yaxley-Lennon at the Channel Tunnel and required access to his electronic device under Schedule 7 powers, which allow police to stop individuals passing through UK ports to determine whether they may be involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Those detained under Schedule 7 can be held for up to six hours, are legally obliged to answer questions and must provide passwords or PINs for electronic devices. Failure to comply can constitute an offence under the statute.

Court proceedings on Monday began after Yaxley-Lennon surrendered at a police station in Folkestone in October 2024, following the July stop. He arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court flanked by...