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Legal representatives told the tribunal that police had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there could be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, 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 potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Citing testimony from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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 said he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.