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

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ 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 “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.