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Prosecutors informed the court that law enforcement had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 Williamson.

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