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Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to cover costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from officers who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to indicate his client was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” 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 Verdict Timing

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration 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 morning of 4 November.