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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

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

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to others who are potentially engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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.

Citing evidence from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

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

He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not return 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,” stated Williamson.

The judge announced he would hand down his verdict on the morning of 4 November.