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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

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

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views 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 information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws 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, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and recently addressed 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 said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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.

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