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Legal representatives informed the court that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson 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 having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July 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 anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said his client was due to be a invitee 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 Williamson.

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