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Prosecutors informed the court that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone contained material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who said they called other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers 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 Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government 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 Williamson.

Goozee announced he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.