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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration 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,” said Williamson.

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