Police Believed Tommy Robinson Had Terrorist Data on Phone, Trial Told.

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to provide his password to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL 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 phone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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

Referring to testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.