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Prosecutors told the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While 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 reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a guest 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.