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Legal representatives told the tribunal that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to individuals who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

He said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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,” said the barrister.

The judge announced he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.