Officers Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Information on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having 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 Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

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

Referring to testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back until 25 October.

{“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 verdict on the morning of 4 November.

Melissa Carter
Melissa Carter

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino reviews and player strategy development.