Prosecutors told the court that police maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.
Denial to Provide Device Pin
The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.
Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority
On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).
While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.
Morris added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”
Circumstances of the Detention
The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.
The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.
Legal Team Arguments
Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.
His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.
Referring to testimony from officers who stated they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.
He said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain 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 already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.
Expenses and Verdict Timing
Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.
A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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,” stated Williamson.
Goozee announced he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.
