🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment 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 views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, “His beliefs – 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 Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

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

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

He said the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” 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 proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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 Williamson.

The judge said he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.