🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they stopped him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to provide his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

While his membership of the English Defence League has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial was told.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, 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 possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

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

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting him, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

Williamson asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to stop him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back 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 ruling on the start of 4 November.