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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held material related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

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

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” 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 connection to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The money was said to have been from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. The barrister proposed that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Date

The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee 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,” said Williamson.

The judge said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.