Police Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Possessed Terrorism-Related Information on Phone, Trial Told.

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police had valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even after 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 having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived 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 more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

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

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek 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,” said Williamson.

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