Officers Suspected Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorism-Related Data on Phone, Trial Told.
Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.
Denial to Provide Device Pin
The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.
Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers
On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think the defendant still have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.
While his affiliation 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 reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.
Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”
Details of the Detention
The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.
The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.
Legal Team Arguments
Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.
His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.
Citing evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.
He asserted the officers’ 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 stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.
He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.
Expenses and Judgment Date
The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.
A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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 the barrister.
The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.