🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

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

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the police 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 police had used an “extraordinary power that must be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister suggested that his client journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Judgment Date

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a guest 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,” said the barrister.

The judge announced he would hand down his verdict on the morning of 4 November.