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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” 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, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to evidence from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a security threat.

He asserted the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said his client 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,” stated Williamson.

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