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

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

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

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said 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 the barrister.

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