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Legal representatives told the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League 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 believe that on his phone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Referring to testimony from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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 the barrister.

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