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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to far-right activists, even after 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 opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance 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 cover expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

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

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case 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 lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back 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,” stated Williamson.

The judge said he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.