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

Refusal to Provide Device Pin

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

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who stated they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” 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 “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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,” stated the barrister.

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