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Prosecutors informed the court that police had valid concerns that Tommy Robinson's phone held material relevant to acts of terrorism when they detained him last year as he attempted to depart from the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

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

Trial Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the last day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are intended to allow information collection. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think the defendant continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the disbandment of the EDL organization.

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be information relevant to acts of terrorism,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

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

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle owned by a friend and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the court heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

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

His lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Referring to evidence from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after arresting Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the officers’ action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was “‘oh look, it’s Tommy Robinson”.

He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the police concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Timing

The activist stated that his legal costs in the proceedings were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has emerged as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the verdict was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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 Williamson.

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