Police Suspected Tommy Robinson Had Terrorist Data on Mobile Device, Trial Told.
Legal representatives informed the tribunal that police maintained valid concerns indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile contained material related to acts of terrorism when they detained him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.
Denial to Provide Phone Password
The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly declined to provide his password to officers, claiming it included “journalistic material.” This happened after he was intercepted at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.
Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Authority
On the final day of the proceedings, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the counter-terrorism powers used by law enforcement are designed to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that officers had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have links to right-wing groups, even following the dissolution of the EDL organization.
While his affiliation of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not disappeared. He is known for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to terrorist acts,” she told Westminster magistrates court.
The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is entitled – were not the subject for their attention on July 28. It was his association to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”
Details of the Detention
The campaigner had turned up alone at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.
The money was reportedly from a collection to cover costs from arranging a major rally that occurred the day before in Trafalgar Square.
Defense Arguments
The defendant, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the encounter on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if convicted.
His lawyer, defense counsel, argued in closing submissions that anti-terror officers who stopped his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.
Citing testimony from police who said they called other organizations” after arresting Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a allusion to the security services and that no evidence had been offered from the security service to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.
He asserted 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 stop him was recognizing his identity”.
He noted that officers had used an special authority that needs to be properly policed” to try to discover details that was already known. Williamson proposed that his client journeyed to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.
Expenses and Judgment Date
Robinson claimed that his legal costs in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the far-right activist and lately addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.
A proposed date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after Williamson explained his client was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from the midweek 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 said he would hand down his verdict on the morning of 4 November.