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Legal representatives informed the court that police had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, 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 telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped 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 arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

He said the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” 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. Williamson proposed that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

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

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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 the barrister.

Goozee said he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.