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

Refusal to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

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

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws 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 convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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 the barrister.

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