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Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

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

Citing evidence from police who said they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back until October 25.

{“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 the barrister.

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