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Legal representatives told the court that police maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone contained material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies 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 possible £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.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

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

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek and would not come back until October 25.

{“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 said he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.