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Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement had reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile held information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to hand over his phone pin to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the anti-terror authorities employed by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to believe Robinson continued to have links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

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

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision 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 previously available. The barrister suggested that his client traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a rally arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained his client was due to be a guest of the Israeli government 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,” said the barrister.

The judge announced he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.