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Legal representatives told the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to hand over his password to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not return 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.

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