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Prosecutors told the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his password to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel 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 small bag, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who stated they called other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not return 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 deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.