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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership 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 valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police intervention was biased” 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 “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said his client 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,” said Williamson.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.