Police Believed Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorist Information on Mobile Device, Trial Told.

Prosecutors told the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

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

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ action 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 “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the case 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 addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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,” said Williamson.

Goozee said he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.