Officers Thought Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Data on Mobile Device, Trial Told.
Legal representatives informed the court that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried 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 phone pin to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.
Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers
On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.
“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.
Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his association to others who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”
Details of the Detention
The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than ÂŁ13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.
The money was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.
Defense Submissions
Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible ÂŁ2,500 fine if convicted.
His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.
Referring to testimony from police who stated they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.
He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.
He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.
Legal Costs and Verdict Date
The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.
A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not come back 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 said he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.
