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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone held material related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

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

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

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

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently 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 district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest 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.

The judge announced he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.