Police Believed Tommy Robinson Possessed Terrorism-Related Data on Phone, Court Hears.

Prosecutors informed the court that police had valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone held information relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his password to police, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone 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 over £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

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

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

Citing evidence from officers who said they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson said the officers’ intervention 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 recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek and would not come back 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,” stated the barrister.

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