Police Suspected Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Information on Phone, Court Hears.

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to evidence from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.

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

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a invitee 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,” stated the barrister.

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