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

Denial to Provide Device Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to permit information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover costs from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to evidence from officers who said they called other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

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

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson said 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 Williamson.

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