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Prosecutors informed the court that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced 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 lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back until 25 October.

{“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 hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.