🔗 Share this article

Legal representatives told the court that law enforcement had valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone contained material related to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Provide Phone Password

The far-right activist, using his legal name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, claiming it contained “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Trial Arguments on Counter-Terrorism Authority

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 officers had valid grounds to think Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the dissolution of the EDL organization.

While his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told the court.

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

Circumstances of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived alone at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley owned by 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 said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a major rally that took place the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Legal Team Submissions

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to 90 days in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

His barrister, defense counsel, argued in final arguments that anti-terror officers who stopped Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to indicate his client was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that police had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover information that was previously available. Williamson suggested that Robinson traveled to the resort regularly, which should have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Judgment Timing

The activist stated that his court expenses in the proceedings were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of social media and electric car companies, who has emerged as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a gathering arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the district judge, the judge, after Williamson explained Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israeli government 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,” stated Williamson.

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