🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the court that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his password to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers 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 reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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.

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