🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his password to police, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

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

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a invitee 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 Williamson.

Goozee announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.