Officers Suspected Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorist Data on Phone, Court Hears.
Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.
Denial to Provide Phone Pin
The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.
Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority
On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.
“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.
The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”
Details of the Stop
The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.
The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.
Defense Submissions
Robinson, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.
His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.
Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.
Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.
He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.
Expenses and Verdict Date
The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.
A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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,” said the barrister.
Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.