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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

He asserted the police action was biased” 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 “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client 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 Williamson.

Goozee announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.