🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions that Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information related to terrorist activities when they stopped him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer Jo Morris argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

While 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 relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

The prosecutor 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 potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 penalty if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

Williamson asserted the police action was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the police concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

The activist claimed that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return 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 Williamson.

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