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Legal representatives told the tribunal that police had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

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

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” on the decision 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 find out information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said 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 hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.