Police Suspected Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorism-Related Data on Mobile Device, Trial Told.

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

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

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

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

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

Referring to evidence from police who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out details that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have lessened the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a guest 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,” stated Williamson.

Goozee announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.