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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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,” said the barrister.

The judge said he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.