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

Denial to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

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

Citing testimony from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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.

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