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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by 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 said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for 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 arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek and would not return 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 Williamson.

The judge announced he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.