Robinson charged under Terrorism Act on eve of far-right protest in London

The far-right leader Tommy Robinson has been charged under the Terrorism Act and is being held in custody before a planned march of his supporters amid fears of a repeat of violence that erupted when he was imprisoned in 2018.

- Matthew Weaver

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, handed himself in yesterday afternoon to Folkestone police station, where he was charged with failing to provide the pin to his mobile phone under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act. He was bailed to appear in court next month, Kent police said. He was then remanded in custody under a high court direction, the force said.

In July Robinson allegedly refused to give police access to his phone when he was stopped under the Terrorism Act at the Channel tunnel. He had been bailed subject to returning to Folkestone police station.

He is also due to appear at Woolwich crown court on Monday on separate charges of contempt of court for repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.

Robinson's supporters, who now control his X account, told his 1m followers on the platform that he is being held on remand until Monday's court appearance.