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Prosecutors told the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

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

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

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

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson was scheduled 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,” stated the barrister.

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