Tommy Robinson faces a verdict on Tuesday for a terror offense after refusing to give police access to his phone during a border stop.
Police detained the 42-year-old former English Defence League leader under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone on July 28 last year. Officers asked for his phone password to check for terrorism-related information, but Robinson declined.
When officers told Robinson to hand over his device on the way to an interview room, he replied: "Not a chance bruv … you look like c***s so you ain't having it."
Prosecution argues reasonable suspicion
The prosecution argued officers had "reasonable suspicion" that Robinson's phone might contain terrorism-related material. Prosecutor Jo Morris told Westminster Magistrates' Court that police "became concerned" about Robinson's "demeanour" during the stop.
She said: "He gave short, vague replies and made no eye contact," Officers noted specific evidence: Robinson was traveling alone in a high-value car not registered in his name, carrying over £13,000 and 1,900 euros, and had booked his tickets that same day.
Morris explained: "It is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism."
Defense argues discrimination
Robinson's defense counsel Alisdair Williamson KC challenged the stop as a "fishing expedition" based on a "discriminatory stance" toward his client. He argued the decision relied to a "significant degree on a protected characteristic" - Robinson's notoriety and public profile.
Williamson questioned: "If MI5 didn't think that Mr Lennon is a terrorist, what did PC Thorogood think he was going to learn by asking him about publicly available information?"
He claimed there was "no evidence that the stop was carried out diligently or expeditiously."
Robinson claims persecution
Robinson told officers his phone contained work material, stating: "It's my work, I'm a journalist," When officers warned him about potential jail time for non-compliance, he responded: "For me it's a win-win, it's going to be bad for yous."
In a video posted on X during the trial, Robinson described the case as "this absolute state persecution" and claimed billionaire Elon Musk had "picked up the legal bill."
Verdict and legal context
District Judge Sam Goozee will deliver the verdict after a two-day trial last month. If convicted, Robinson faces up to three months in jail.
Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act allows police to detain individuals at UK ports for up to six hours and legally requires detainees to provide device passwords, with refusal constituting a criminal offense.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
