Officers Thought Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorism-Related Information on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to police, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return until 25 October.

{“I wouldn’t trouble you if this was a trip to Benidorm. I would ask him to rearrange it but he is a guest of a foreign government,” stated Williamson.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.