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

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could 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 subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

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

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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,” said Williamson.

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