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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Pin

The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, 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.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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,” said the barrister.

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