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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police had valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed the court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree 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 “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 the barrister.

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