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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel 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 small bag, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said 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,” said Williamson.

Goozee announced he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.