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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “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 illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a security threat.

Williamson asserted 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 choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was due 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 Williamson.

Goozee said he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.