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Legal representatives told the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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 said he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.