Officers Believed Tommy Robinson Had Terrorist Information on Phone, Trial Told.
Legal representatives told the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.
Refusal to Provide Device Pin
The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his password to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.
Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority
On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.
“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.
The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”
Circumstances of the Detention
The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.
The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.
Defense Arguments
Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.
His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.
Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.
He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.
He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.
Expenses and Verdict Timing
Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.
A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was due 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,” said Williamson.
Goozee announced he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.