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Legal representatives informed the court that police had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree 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 “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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,” said Williamson.

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