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

Prosecutors told the court that police had valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone contained material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson still 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 having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The funds 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 denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was due 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,” said the barrister.

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