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Legal representatives told the tribunal that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to evidence from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer 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 security threat.

He said the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government 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 the barrister.

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