Here’s my full manuscript from Tommy Robinson’s court day verdict, where he was acquitted on all charges under the Terrorism Act ,taken directly from my personal notes.
Read below and see what really happened.
Read below and see what really happened.
10:07 GMT
Judge Sam Goozée enters the courtroom and calls proceedings to order. Tommy Robinson appears via video link from a separate room behind a plastic sound barrier.
Judge Sam Goozée enters the courtroom and calls proceedings to order. Tommy Robinson appears via video link from a separate room behind a plastic sound barrier.
10:07–10:09 GMT
The judge reviews the background: Tommy was stopped by police while driving to the Channel Tunnel. He filmed the encounter until officers seized his phone. He was detained under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The judge reviews the background: Tommy was stopped by police while driving to the Channel Tunnel. He filmed the encounter until officers seized his phone. He was detained under the Terrorism Act 2000.
10:10 GMT
The judge outlines the purpose of the Terrorism Act,to question individuals involved in the commission, preparation, or instigation of terrorism.
The judge outlines the purpose of the Terrorism Act,to question individuals involved in the commission, preparation, or instigation of terrorism.
10:11 GMT
He notes that none of the questions asked by officers during Tommy’s detention related to terrorism.
He notes that none of the questions asked by officers during Tommy’s detention related to terrorism.
10:12 GMT
The judge emphasises the national importance of counter terrorism powers but stresses that safeguards exist to protect confidential journalistic or sensitive information.
The judge emphasises the national importance of counter terrorism powers but stresses that safeguards exist to protect confidential journalistic or sensitive information.
10:13 GMT
The judge argues that the ECHR rights and articles presented by the defence is compatible with the terrorist legislation that Tommy Robinson was arrested under.
The judge argues that the ECHR rights and articles presented by the defence is compatible with the terrorist legislation that Tommy Robinson was arrested under.
10:13–10:15 GMT
He cites past court cases on how and when the Terrorism Act’s search and questioning powers can be used. He confirms that under this law, police can question a person even without specific suspicion of a crime, but the use of those powers must still be lawful.
He cites past court cases on how and when the Terrorism Act’s search and questioning powers can be used. He confirms that under this law, police can question a person even without specific suspicion of a crime, but the use of those powers must still be lawful.
10:16 GMT
The judge reminds the court that officers are not permitted to question people about their protected characteristics, which include political and religious beliefs.
The judge reminds the court that officers are not permitted to question people about their protected characteristics, which include political and religious beliefs.
10:18 GMT
He sets out two key tests:
1. Was the stop lawful and for a legitimate purpose?
2. Did the officers’ questions improperly focus on protected beliefs?
He sets out two key tests:
1. Was the stop lawful and for a legitimate purpose?
2. Did the officers’ questions improperly focus on protected beliefs?
10:18–10:23 GMT
Turning to the evidence, the judge notes that officers stopped Tommy because he was driving a new car and had bought a last minute ticket to Spain. The first officer admitted uncertainty about his own legal powers and could not recall what was asked during arrest
Turning to the evidence, the judge notes that officers stopped Tommy because he was driving a new car and had bought a last minute ticket to Spain. The first officer admitted uncertainty about his own legal powers and could not recall what was asked during arrest
10:23–10:27 GMT
One officer mentioned Tommy’s former association with the English Defence League, a political line of questioning unrelated to terrorism. Another officer said his notes from the incident had been destroyed.
One officer mentioned Tommy’s former association with the English Defence League, a political line of questioning unrelated to terrorism. Another officer said his notes from the incident had been destroyed.
10:28–10:30 GMT
Tommy did not testify, and no negative inference was drawn from that. His lawyer argued that none of the questions related to terrorism and that the stop was politically motivated.
Tommy did not testify, and no negative inference was drawn from that. His lawyer argued that none of the questions related to terrorism and that the stop was politically motivated.
10:30–10:33 GMT
The judge found the officers’ testimony inconsistent and lacking credibility, noting that they could not reliably recall key details.
The judge found the officers’ testimony inconsistent and lacking credibility, noting that they could not reliably recall key details.
10:34–10:36 GMT
The judge concludes that the stop and questioning were motivated by Tommy’s political views, not by any genuine suspicion of terrorism. There was “no evidence at all” suggesting involvement in terrorism.
The judge concludes that the stop and questioning were motivated by Tommy’s political views, not by any genuine suspicion of terrorism. There was “no evidence at all” suggesting involvement in terrorism.
10:37 GMT
He applies the two legal tests and finds:
1. The purpose of the stop cannot be justified.
2. Tommy’s political beliefs influenced the officers’ decision to detain him.
He applies the two legal tests and finds:
1. The purpose of the stop cannot be justified.
2. Tommy’s political beliefs influenced the officers’ decision to detain him.
10:37 GMT
The judge rules that the stop was unlawful.
10:38 GMT
Tommy Robinson is acquitted. The public gallery cheers as the court announces the verdict.
The judge rules that the stop was unlawful.
10:38 GMT
Tommy Robinson is acquitted. The public gallery cheers as the court announces the verdict.
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