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Legal representatives informed the court that police had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone contained information related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are intended to permit information collection. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Detention

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

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

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

Citing evidence from police who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 the barrister.

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