🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

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

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from arranging a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

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

Referring to evidence from police who stated they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a guest 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.

The judge said he would hand down his verdict on the start of 4 November.