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Legal representatives told the court that police had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's phone contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £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 called “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest 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,” stated Williamson.

The judge said he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.