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Prosecutors informed the court that police had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's phone contained material related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they called other organizations” 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 indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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,” stated Williamson.

Goozee announced he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.