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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

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

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone 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 carry-on, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers 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, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention 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 added that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back 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,” stated Williamson.

The judge announced he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.