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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to hand over his password to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris 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 possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” on the choice 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 already known. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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.

The judge said he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.