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Prosecutors informed the court that police had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

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

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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,” stated the barrister.

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