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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

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

Referring to testimony from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally 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 altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.