Police Believed Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorism-Related Information on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Prosecutors informed the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the police 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 owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 the barrister.

Goozee said he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.