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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although 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 valid concern to think that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, 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 security threat.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson 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,” stated Williamson.

Goozee announced he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.