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Prosecutors told the court that police maintained valid concerns that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

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

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel 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 carry-on, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Citing testimony from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 verdict on the morning of 4 November.