He’s facing a possible jail sentence over contempt of court allegations
Tommy Robinson is being held on remand after handing himself in at Folkestone police station in Kent this afternoon.
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was charged with one count of failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Kent police confirmed the charge was in relation to an incident in Folkestone on July 28, when he allegedly refused to give police access to his mobile phone when he was stopped under the Terrorism Act at the Channel tunnel.
Under the law, the police have the right to 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”.
Kent Police said Robinson was bailed subject to returning to Folkestone police station, ahead of an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 13 over the charge, LBC reports
However, after handing himself in on Friday afternoon, he was remanded in custody under a high court direction in relation to contempt of court allegations.
Robinson is scheduled to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday on these charges for repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.
An arrest warrant had been issued against the former English Defence League leader by the High Court after he failed to appear for a hearing on the contempt of court charges at the end of July.
Robinson left the UK hours before the court case, only flying back to the country last weekend, according to Sky News.
He is facing a possible jail sentence over the charges.
Robinson is accused of breaching a High Court ruling, which barred him from repeating libellous allegations against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi, who successfully sued him.
The 41-year-old was also ordered to pay Hijazi £100,000 in damages, along with legal costs.
Robinson had been due to lead a far-right rally this weekend in London.
Robinson’s supporters are planning to march in the capital on Saturday (October 26). The rally is called “Uniting the Kingdom” and will go from Victoria to Whitehall.
A counter Stand Up to Racism protest is also planned, with the Metropolitan Police saying it expects a “busy day.”
The force has said there will be a significant police presence in the capital to keep the two groups apart.
