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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor 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 involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

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

Citing testimony from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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.

Goozee said he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.