Police Thought Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Possessed Terrorist Information on Phone, Trial Told.

Legal representatives told the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to provide his password to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back 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.

The judge announced he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.