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Prosecutors told the court that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine 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 evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

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

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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,” stated the barrister.

Goozee announced he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.