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Prosecutors told the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone contained information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

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

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by police are designed to allow intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had valid grounds to believe the defendant still have connections to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

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

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are potentially involved in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

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

Legal Team Arguments

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

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who said they called “partner agencies” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the police action was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to stop him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist stated that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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.

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