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Prosecutors informed the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told 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 association to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a invitee 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,” stated the barrister.

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