🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense explained Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 the barrister.

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