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Legal representatives told the court that police had valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration 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 encounter on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

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

Citing testimony from police who said they contacted “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 terrorist.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision 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 previously available. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government 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.

The judge announced he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.