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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

He said the police 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 officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not come back 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,” stated Williamson.

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