Officers Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Possessed Terrorist Information on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns 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 campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee 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,” stated the barrister.

Goozee said he would hand down his verdict on the morning of 4 November.