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

Prosecutors told the tribunal that police had valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers 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 lawyer, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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,” stated the barrister.

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