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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his password to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped 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 counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they called other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

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

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for 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 livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest 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 Williamson.

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