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Legal representatives told the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

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

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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.

Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.