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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his password to police, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle 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 court was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” 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 find out details that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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 Williamson.

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