Officers Thought Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Possessed Terrorism-Related Data on Phone, Trial Told.

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his password to police, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

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

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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,” stated Williamson.

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