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Legal representatives told the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who denies 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 penalty if found guilty.

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

Citing evidence from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the police action 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 noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled 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,” said Williamson.

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