Police Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Data on Phone, Trial Told.

Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, 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 potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ 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 stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not come back 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,” stated the barrister.

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