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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his password to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

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

His barrister, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said 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 Williamson.

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