Police suspected Tommy Robinson had information relevant to acts of terrorism on phone, court told

"On the last day of the trial, prosecutor Jo Morris said the counter-terrorism powers used by police to stop Robinson exist to allow for intelligence gathering and that police had a reasonable suspicion that he still had links to far-right activists, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL). Although his membership of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away."

"The activist had arrived alone at the Channel tunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than 13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard on Monday. The money was said to have been from a collection to offset the expenses from organising a major rally that took place the day before in Trafalgar Square."

Police used counter-terrorism powers to stop Tommy Robinson at the Channel tunnel on 28 July 2024 as he attempted to leave the UK. He refused to provide the PIN for his phone, citing journalistic material. Authorities held reasonable suspicions that the phone might contain information relevant to acts of terrorism because of ongoing links to far-right activists despite the English Defence League's disbandment. Robinson arrived alone in a silver Bentley and was travelling to Benidorm with more than 13,000 in a small bag reportedly from a collection to cover rally expenses. He denies non-compliance and faces potential prison or a fine; the defence says the stop was a fishing expedition and unlawful detention.

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