Tommy Robinson denies pin number 'terrorism charge' as he appears in court today

Political activist Tommy Robinson will face trial in March over a charge that he failed to provide his mobile phone pin number to police at the Channel Tunnel in July.

Robinson, 41, (above) appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court by CVP link from HMP Woodhill today, when he entered a not guilty plea to the offence.

The charge is that he failed to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

It was allegedly on Sunday, July 28 this year, as he was leaving the country to go on holiday after attending a huge patriotic march and rally he organised in central London that was attended by thousands of his supporters.

Former English Defence League founder Robinson, who will have his 42nd birthday in jail on November 27, appeared in court under his real name Stephen Lennon and gave his address as the prison.

He was charged with the pin number offence in October before he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court for separate proceedings when he pleaded guilty to contempt of court in connection with a civil libel case that he lost against a Syrian refugee.

Robinson, now a journalist and filmmaker, was jailed as a civil offender for that offence and the court heard today he is unlikely to be released until the end of July next year.

He was therefore today given unconditional bail in respect of the current proceedings.

During a short hearing, a timetable was set out for the serving of documents and disclosure during the case.

The court heard that Robinson is likely to rely on a human rights defence that handing over his pin would have compromised his "journalistic sources."

Robinson, who is understood to be held in solitary confinement, allegedly for his own protection due to his strong beliefs, appeared downbeat during the short hearing.

Dressed in a dark long-sleeved top, he sat at a table in a room in wing 6 of the jail, with a hand under his chin for much of the case.

He told the court his real name was Stephen Lennon and he had not been called Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, which he has been referred to by police and in media reports, for several years.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring set a two-day hearing to hear the trial at the same court from March 20.

He told Robinson that if he is released from jail before that date he must attend court or the trial could proceed in his absence and/or a warrant could be issues for his arrest.

The case was adjourned to a future date ahead of trial.