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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation 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 reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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.

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