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Legal representatives told the tribunal that police had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

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

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings 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 addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained Robinson 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 the barrister.

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