🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership 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 relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer 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 said the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a guest 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 start of 4 November.