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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Referring to evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

The activist claimed 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 recently addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 Williamson.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.