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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel 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 small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted 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 suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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 the barrister.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.