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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

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

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to think the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply 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 penalty if convicted.

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

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

He said the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree 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 properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back 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.

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