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Prosecutors informed the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back 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 Williamson.

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