🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives told the court that police had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Pin

The far-right activist, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

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

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

He said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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.

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