Officers Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Data on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Legal representatives told the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his password to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” 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 properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration 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,” said the barrister.

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