Officers Suspected Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorist Information on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Legal representatives informed the court that police had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

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

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

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

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson 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,” said the barrister.

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