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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his password to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

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

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are potentially engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client 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 main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained 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,” said Williamson.

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