Tommy Robinson claims that Elon Musk is paying his legal fees, as the far-right activist faces a three-week wait for the verdict of his trial because he is due to visit Israel.
The 42-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denies failing to comply with counterterrorism powers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on 28 July last year, specifically by refusing to disclose his phone’s PIN.
If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three months.
Robinson, who thanked X-owner Musk for covering his legal costs, will travel to Israel on Wednesday until 25 October, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
The prosecution and defence cases finished on Tuesday, but District Judge Sam Goozee has not yet made a decision on whether the activist is guilty or not guilty.
As the judge tried to set a date to hand down his verdict, Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Robinson would be out of the country for some time.
“He is a guest of the Israeli government in Israel tomorrow,” he told the court.
Judge Goozee told Robinson he would “accommodate” his “current travel arrangements” and adjourned his decision until 4 November.
Posting on X (Twitter) after the hearing ended, Robinson said: “Now that my trial is behind me, I will have my verdict handed down on November 4th in London.
“I’m leaving soon for a trip to Israel — a proud patriot coming tomorrow to stand with the Jewish state and deepen my understanding of the fight against jihad.”
Robinson, last month, organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.
The invitation to Robinson was extended in the wake of the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester.
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister for the diaspora and combating antisemitism, said he was “proud to host British patriot” Robinson.
