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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

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

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

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

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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,” said the barrister.

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