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Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

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

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court 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.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not return 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.

The judge said he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.