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Prosecutors informed the court that law enforcement maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had reasonable suspicion to think the defendant still have links to far-right activists, even following the dissolution 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 could be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on July 28. It was his association to individuals who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court was told.

The funds was reportedly from a collection to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Defense Arguments

The defendant, who disputes non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped Robinson had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

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

He asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” 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 recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson journeyed to Benidorm frequently, which should have reduced the officers’ suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the campaigner and recently addressed a gathering arranged by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson said Robinson 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 the barrister.

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