🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to provide 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, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a security threat.

He said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain 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 proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering arranged 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 the defense said Robinson was scheduled 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,” stated Williamson.

The judge said he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.