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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Detention

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

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He said the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek and would not return 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 the barrister.

Goozee announced he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.