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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team 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 prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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

Referring to evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

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

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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,” stated Williamson.

Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.