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Prosecutors told the court that police had 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 Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson claimed 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 “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek and would not return 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 the barrister.

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