Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTommy Robinson with protesters outside Southampton police station (PA)Far-right activist Tommy Robinson claims he was detained by police at Heathrow Airport under counter-terrorism laws. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, stated his two phones were seized and he was held for nearly three hours under section 3 of the Counter-Terrorism Border Security Act 2019. He shared photos of detention documents on social media and appealed to supporters for donations to fund his legal defence. A spokesperson for Robinson described the detention as an "attack on free speech" and "investigative journalism", while Elon Musk reposted Robinson's content to his followers. The activist has recently been accused of fuelling racial tensions in Belfast and was previously cleared of a terror charge in 2024 after refusing to give police his phone pin at the Channel tunnel. In fullTommy Robinson says he has been detained under counter-terror laws at Heathrow airportThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in