Police Thought Tommy Robinson Had Terrorist Data on Phone, Court Hears.

Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to hand over his password to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, prosecutor Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to believe the defendant continued to have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told the court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. 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 Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial was told.

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 Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, could receive up to three months in prison or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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

Citing testimony from police who stated they contacted “partner agencies” after detaining him, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the main factor” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to find out details that was previously available. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which should have reduced the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the district judge, the judge, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from the midweek 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 the barrister.

Goozee said he would deliver his verdict on the morning of 4 November.