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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.

He said the police action was biased” 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 police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek and would not come back 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 Williamson.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.