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Prosecutors informed the court that police had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel 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 police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

Morris added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

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

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed date of next 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 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 the barrister.

Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.