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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

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

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

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

Citing testimony from police who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer 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 security threat.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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.

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