British police detained far-right activist Tommy Robinson at Heathrow Airport on Saturday under the UK's Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said officers stopped him at the airport and seized his mobile phones under Section 3 of the law.
The legislation gives police the power to stop, question, search and detain people at ports and border crossings if they suspect involvement in hostile activities.
Robinson Says Police Held Him for Three Hours
After the incident, Robinson claimed on social media that police detained him for nearly three hours. He said officers took both his iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices. He also asked supporters to help fund his legal defence.
A spokesperson for Robinson later posted on X: “They likely want to see who he is talking to, and maybe find out who his sources are, sources who will expose politicians for their part in the rape of a generation of British girls."
The spokesperson also criticized the authorities' actions, saying: “This is an attack on free speech; this is an attack on investigative journalism, nothing more, nothing less."
Police Have Not Explained the Detention
Authorities have not revealed why they detained Robinson. The Metropolitan Police had not issued a public statement at the time of reporting. As a result, the exact reason for using counter-terrorism powers remains unclear.
Robinson Remains a Controversial Figure
Robinson is one of Britain's most controversial political activists. He previously led the English Defence League and has often been at the center of political and social controversies. He gained renewed attention following unrest linked to the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak while in police custody in Southampton.
Robinson became a leading voice during protests that followed the release of police body-camera footage of the incident. Violence broke out during some of the demonstrations, leaving 13 police officers and a police dog injured.
Social Media Posts Drew Attention
Robinson recently shared information on X about planned demonstrations across Britain and Northern Ireland. He also circulated footage of a suspected attempted murder in Belfast involving a man believed to be a Sudanese asylum seeker.
The post about the demonstrations gained wider attention after it was reshared by Elon Musk.
Previous Phone Access Dispute
Robinson previously faced a similar legal dispute in 2024. Police stopped him at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone while he was travelling to Spain. Officers asked for access to his phone, but he refused to provide the PIN code. He argued that the device contained confidential journalistic material.
A district judge later ruled that he could not be certain the police stop had been lawful. Robinson was subsequently cleared in that case.
Questions Remain
The latest detention has sparked fresh debate about the use of counter-terrorism powers in Britain. Robinson and his supporters argue that the authorities targeted him because of his political activities and journalism.
However, police have not explained why they stopped him at Heathrow. Until officials provide more details, the circumstances surrounding the detention remain uncertain.