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Prosecutors told the court that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

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

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates 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 others who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee 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 Williamson.

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