Who is Tommy Robinson? Activist detained at Heathrow under UK counter-terrorism laws

British anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson was reportedly detained by police on Saturday at Heathrow Airport, following a week when he stoked hate-driven unrest in Northern Ireland.

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon was stopped, and had his phones seized under section 3 of the Counterterrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

Taking to social media, Robinson claimed he was detained for almost three hours and had his iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones, before asking his supporters to contribute to his legal defence fund.

A spokesperson for Robinson 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.”

“This is an attack on free speech, this is an attack on investigative journalism, nothing more nothing less.”

The 43-year-old activist has gained public recognition in wake of the racial tensions across Britain, which flared in response to body-worn video showing the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak while police remain in custody in Southampton.

As reported by the Guardian, Robinson posted scheduled information for public protests across Britain and Northern Ireland on X.

Meanwhile local politicians have said that far-right agitators online had instigated the violence. It is pertinent to mention here that Robinson refused to give officers the PIN to his phone. 

He basically claimed that the device contained classified material. In addition, a district judge concluded he could not be sure the detention was justified.