🔗 Share this article Officers Thought Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorism-Related Information on Phone, Trial Told. Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK. Refusal to Give Phone Pin The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to provide his password to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024. Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization. “Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court. Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals 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 on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard. The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark. Legal Team Submissions The defendant, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted. His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained. Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist. Williamson said the officers’ intervention 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 “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”. He noted that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him. Legal Costs and Judgment Date The activist claimed that his legal costs in the case 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 addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast. A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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 said he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.