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

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 ruling on the morning of 4 November.