Police Thought Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorism-Related Data on Phone, Trial Told.
Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.
Refusal to Provide Device Pin
The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to provide his password to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.
Trial Claims 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 intended to allow information collection. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).
While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.
Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”
Circumstances of the Stop
The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.
The money was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.
Defense Arguments
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 three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.
His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.
Citing evidence from officers who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.
Williamson said the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent 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 police had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.
Expenses and Judgment Date
The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered 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 the capital via a online broadcast.
A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.