Officers Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Possessed Terrorism-Related Data on Phone, Court Hears.

Prosecutors told the court that police had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, 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 information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.

He 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 stop 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 details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not return 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 announced he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.