🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

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

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July last year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a possible £2,500 fine 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 testimony from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a security threat.

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

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was previously available. The barrister proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 announced he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.