The leader of far-right group Britain First has been charged with a terrorism offence under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act for refusing to give police access to his phone.
Paul Golding was stopped at Heathrow Airport last October on his way back from a visit to the Russian Parliament in Moscow by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
He refused to give the passwords for his electronic devices.
Mr Golding, 38, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this Thursday.
The far-right leader is charged with refusing to comply with a duty under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act.
He said in a statement that he was not a terrorist and described the charges as “an abuse of legislation”.
Schedule 7 allows police to search, detain and interrogate anyone for up to six hours at UK ports.
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The government claims that the law is aimed at determining whether a person is involved in the “commission, preparation or instigation” of acts of terrorism.
You can read 5Pillars deputy editor, Dilly Hussain’s tips on what to do if you’re stopped under Schedule 7.
