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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told the 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 illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” 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 officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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.