🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” 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 special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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,” said the barrister.

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