UK Activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Questioned at Heathrow Under Schedule 7 Powers

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was stopped at London Heathrow Airport on Saturday under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Officers detained him for questioning and seized two mobile phones. A second man in his 40s was stopped under the same powers after arriving on a flight from Russia.

Yaxley-Lennon posted on social media that his devices had been taken and asked supporters to contribute to his legal costs. He had previously been stopped at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone in July 2024 under Schedule 7. In that case he was charged with wilfully obstructing a Schedule 7 examination after declining to provide his phone passcode; he was later acquitted at trial after arguing the device contained confidential journalistic material.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed both recent stops took place but declined to answer further questions about either examination. No charges have been reported in connection with the Heathrow detention.

The stops occurred days after unrest in Belfast linked to a stabbing incident. Police have stated they are not investigating that stabbing as terrorism-related. A man has been charged with attempted murder in the case.