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Prosecutors informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Phone Password

The right-wing campaigner, using his legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to hand over his password to police, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This occurred after he was intercepted at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Prosecution Claims on Counter-Terrorism Authority

On the final day of the proceedings, state lawyer the prosecution argued that the counter-terrorism powers employed by police are designed to permit information collection. She asserted that officers had reasonable suspicion to believe the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for having those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his phone there could be information relevant to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his connection to others who are possibly engaged in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Detention

The activist had turned up alone at the Eurotunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to cover expenses from arranging a major rally that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

The defendant, who denies failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on 28 July of the previous year, faces up to three months in prison or a potential £2,500 fine if convicted.

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

Referring to testimony from police who stated they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been offered from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

He said the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the main factor” 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 discover information that was already known. Williamson proposed that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Legal Costs and Judgment Timing

Robinson 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 spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested day of next Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained Robinson was scheduled to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday 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 the barrister.

Goozee announced he would deliver his verdict on the start of 4 November.