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

Refusal to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

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

Referring to evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a guest 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.

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