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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his password to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

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

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

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

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, 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 said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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,” stated Williamson.

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