🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held 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 real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, 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 may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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 unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not return 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 start of 4 November.