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Legal representatives informed the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant 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 password to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his telephone there may be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was traveling to the holiday destination of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to offset expenses from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Submissions

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

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He said the police intervention 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 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 already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained 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,” stated Williamson.

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