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Prosecutors told the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to permit information collection. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was biased” 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 “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 the barrister.

Goozee announced he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.