🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

Morris added, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

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

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent 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 officers had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from the midweek and would not return 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,” said the barrister.

Goozee said he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.