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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's mobile held information related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused 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.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

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 trial was told.

The money 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

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 last year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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

Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not come back 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,” said the barrister.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.