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Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Provide Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to provide his phone pin to officers, stating it included journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had valid grounds to believe Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be data relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

Morris added, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the focus for their attention on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The activist had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley owned by a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court heard.

The money was reportedly from a collection to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on July 28 last year, could receive up to three months in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained Robinson had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who said they called “partner agencies” after arresting him, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a terrorist.

Williamson said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that police had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which ought to have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Timing

Robinson claimed that his court expenses in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the proprietor of social media and electric car companies, who has appeared as an ally of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering organized by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense said his client was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back 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,” stated the barrister.

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