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

Denial to Give Phone Password

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

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his association to others who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who said 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 presented from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict 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 ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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,” said the barrister.

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