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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that law enforcement had valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Pin

The far-right activist, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to provide his phone pin to officers, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Powers

On the final day of the trial, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers employed by law enforcement are designed to permit information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think the defendant still have links to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

“Although his membership of the English Defence League has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there may be data relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor continued, “His beliefs – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his association to others who are possibly involved in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

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

The funds was said to have been from a collection to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies non-compliance with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

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

Referring to evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that no evidence had been presented from the security service to suggest his defendant was a security threat.

He asserted the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree 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 carefully regulated” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson proposed that his client traveled to the resort frequently, which should have lessened the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

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

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israel's administration 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 Williamson.

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