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

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his password to police, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to evidence from police who said they called “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled 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 Williamson.

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