🔗 Share this article

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

Denial to Provide Phone Pin

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to others who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from officers who said they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back 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.

The judge announced he would deliver his ruling on the start of 4 November.