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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's mobile held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

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

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

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

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented 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 decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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 Williamson.

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