🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover costs 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 encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ action was biased” 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 officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled 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 announced he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.