You’d think someone flagged as wanted by the police wouldn’t be able to hop on a plane and leave the country.
But that’s exactly what happened with far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Despite an alleged assault just hours before, he managed to board a flight to Tenerife—no arrest, no intervention, just a loophole in the system.
The Alleged Assault at St Pancras
It all started at London’s busy St Pancras station last week.
Footage that quickly went viral showed a man lying motionless on the concourse while Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, walked around looking agitated.
The 42-year-old was reportedly handing out flyers for a “free speech” protest at the time.
According to the clip, Robinson can be heard claiming self-defence, shouting:
“He f***ing came at me, bruv. You saw that!”
Bystanders looked stunned, and one passerby could be heard urgently calling for help.
The Victim’s Condition After the Incident
The man on the ground, a 64-year-old, appeared to have sustained a serious head injury.
Emergency services rushed him to a major trauma centre, and he remained in hospital until Wednesday, when he was discharged.
The full extent of his injuries hasn’t been shared publicly, but the situation was serious enough to launch an investigation.
A Police Alert That Came Too Late
After the incident, police quickly identified Robinson as a suspect and issued a “wanted” alert.
The problem? By the time that alert was raised, he had already checked in online and cleared security for a Ryanair flight departing from Stansted Airport.
Here’s the kicker: airline staff aren’t actually required to re-check whether a passenger is wanted by police immediately before they board.
Once someone has cleared the initial watch-list check at online check-in, that’s usually the end of it.
So Robinson, flagged hours later, simply walked through the gate and boarded his flight as if nothing had happened.
The Gap in the System That Let Him Leave
According to The Times, the entire system hinges on a moment most people never think twice about: when you check in.
If you’re flagged then, you’re likely to be stopped.
But if something changes afterward—like, say, being wanted for a potential assault—there’s no guarantee airport staff will know or act on it.
UK border and airline rules don’t mandate last-minute checks for ongoing investigations or newly flagged suspects.
The airline’s main job is to ensure your passport is valid and matches your booking.
Robinson’s Side of the Story
In the now-viral video, Robinson insists he was acting in self-defence.
His account, delivered loudly and emotionally, includes phrases like:
“He come at me!”
“You saw that!”
But beyond those statements, he hasn’t issued a formal response through legal channels.
What Happens Next?
British Transport Police say their investigation is ongoing and confirmed that the manhunt for the 42-year-old Robinson began shortly after the flight.
They haven’t said whether they’ve coordinated with authorities in Tenerife or how they plan to proceed.
What’s clear is that this case has exposed a surprising vulnerability in how police alerts and airport security work together—or in this case, don’t.
A Growing Debate Over Free Speech and Accountability
This incident is unfolding just weeks ahead of a “free speech” protest Robinson had been promoting for September 13.
Critics argue that incidents like this blur the line between protest and provocation, while supporters frame it as another example of Robinson being targeted for his views.
But for now, the real issue seems to be less about politics and more about process—how someone under investigation for a serious incident can walk straight through security and leave the country with no red flags raised.
One thing is certain: the debate around Tommy Robinson isn’t going away anytime soon.