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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's mobile held material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” 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 recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not return 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,” stated Williamson.

Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.