🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions that 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.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

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

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his phone there may be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their concern on July 28. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially involved in prohibited activities.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

The money was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the day before in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who said they called other organizations” after detaining him, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from MI5 to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to discover information that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and recently spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said Robinson was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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,” stated the barrister.

The judge said he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.