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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

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 potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor 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 online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a guest 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 Williamson.

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