🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the court that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained information related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, whose legal name is Tommy Robinson, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

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

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is recognized for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Stop

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from organizing a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if convicted.

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing testimony from police who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

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

He added that police had used an special authority that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that his client journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being covered by the tech billionaire, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and recently addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of next Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said his client was due to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday 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 Williamson.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the start of 4 November.