Police Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Possessed Terrorist Data on Phone, Court Hears.
Legal representatives informed the court that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.
Denial to Provide Device Pin
The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.
Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority
On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.
While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.
Morris added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”
Details of the Stop
The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over ÂŁ13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.
The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.
Legal Team Arguments
Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential ÂŁ2,500 penalty if found guilty.
His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.
Referring to evidence from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.
Williamson asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.
He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.
Expenses and Judgment Timing
The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.
A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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,” said Williamson.
The judge announced he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.
