Police Thought Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorism-Related Information on Phone, Court Hears.

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

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

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” 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 properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest 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 Williamson.

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