Police Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Data on Phone, Trial Told.

Prosecutors told the court that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

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

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to evidence from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

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

He noted that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not return 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,” said Williamson.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.