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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his password to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred 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 the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel 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 trial was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

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

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson 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,” stated Williamson.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.