Police Suspected Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Information on Phone, Trial Told.

Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

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

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not come back 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.

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