Tommy Robinson faces three-week wait for terror verdict due to Israel trip
The far-right activist, 42, was stopped at the Channel Tunnel with thousands of pounds in cash in his silver Bentley and refused to give police the pin for his phone
Tommy Robinson faces a three-week wait to find out the verdict of his trial because he is going to Israel as a "guest of the government".
The far-right agitator, 42, was stopped at the Channel Tunnel with thousands of pounds in cash in his silver Bentley on July 28 last year. PC Mitchell Thorogood demanded access to his iPhone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act. It was not given but Robinson denies failing to comply.
He reportedly told police: "It's my work, I'm a journalist." He is said to have added that the phone held information on "vulnerable girls". If found guilty Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, could be jailed for up to three months. In a video posted on X, he said the site's owner, Elon Musk, was paying his legal fees.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, could be jailed for up to three months if he is found guilty. He will travel to Israel on Wednesday until October 25, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard today.
The prosecution and defence cases finished on Tuesday, but District Judge Sam Goozee has not yet made a decision on whether the agitator is guilty or not guilty. As the judge tried to set a date to hand down his verdict, Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson would be out of the country for some time.
"He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow," he told the court. Judge Goozee told Robinson he would "accommodate" his "current travel arrangements" and adjourned his decision until November 4.
Posting on X after the hearing ended, 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 thanked tech tycoon Elon Musk for covering his legal costs, adding: "I go to Israel as a guest of government leaders - and as a proud friend of the Jewish people."