🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal 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 Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

Robinson, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to stop 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 find out information that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government 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 deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.