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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined 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.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

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

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a security threat.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration 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,” stated the barrister.

Goozee announced he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.