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Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's phone contained information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – 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 Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated 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 properly policed” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government 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,” said the barrister.

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