🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his password to police, stating it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

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 valid grounds to think the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

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

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

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle 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 court was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a large demonstration that occurred the day before in a London landmark.

Defense Submissions

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 last year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from MI5 to suggest 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 “predominant influence” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson 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,” said the barrister.

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