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Prosecutors informed the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to police, stating 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, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to individuals who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up 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 small bag, the court heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained 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.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.