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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to hand over his password to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership 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 phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner 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 proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back 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 Williamson.

Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.