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Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his password to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to cover costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police 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 added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a guest 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,” said Williamson.

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