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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to hand over his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who denies 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 lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

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

He noted that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.