Police Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Data on Mobile Device, Trial Told.

Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to provide his password to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL 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 data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

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

Legal Team Arguments

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

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

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings 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 lately addressed a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said his client 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.

Goozee said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.