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Legal representatives told the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, claiming it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

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

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, 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,” stated the barrister.

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