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Prosecutors told the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

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

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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.

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