Police Thought Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorism-Related Information on Phone, Trial Told.
Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.
Refusal to Provide Phone Password
The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.
Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers
On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).
“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.
Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”
Circumstances of the Stop
The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over ÂŁ13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.
The money was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.
Legal Team Arguments
Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible ÂŁ2,500 penalty if found guilty.
His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.
Referring to evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.
He asserted the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.
He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.
Legal Costs and Verdict Timing
The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.
A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return until October 25.
{“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 the barrister.
The judge announced he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.
