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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile held information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to individuals who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover costs from organizing 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 incident on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain 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 information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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,” stated the barrister.

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