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

Refusal to Give Device Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to hand over his password to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

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

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government from the midweek 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.

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