🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination 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 offset costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not return 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 said he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.