Tommy Robinson "discriminated against" at Channel Tunnel by police, court told
Robinson is accused of failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers when he was stopped in Folkestone last July
Tommy Robinson was discriminated against by police because of his political beliefs when he was stopped at the Folkestone border in a luxury Bentley, a court has heard.
Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was driving a silver Bentayga to the Spanish tourist hotspot of Benidorm when he was stopped by officers at the Channel Tunnel, his trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.
Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said the stop and detention was unlawful because officers had taken a "discriminatory stance" based on their knowledge of Robinson's views.
Police were suspicious of his "vague replies" about what he was doing and demanded access to his iPhone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act.
The Act gives police the power to stop anyone passing through a UK port "to determine whether they may be involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".
Robinson denies failing to comply with the counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 last year.
District Judge Sam Goozee will not hand down his ruling until November 4 because Robinson is travelling to Israel as a guest of the government, the court heard.
On Tuesday, Mr Williamson said the officers' intervention was "discriminatory" because it was based to a "significant degree on a protected characteristic".
He said that the "predominant influence" on Pc Mitchell Thorogood's decision to stop him was "'oh look, it's Tommy Robinson'".
He added: "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?"
Mr Williamson said that officers had used an "extraordinary power that needs to be properly policed" to try to find out information that was already known.
Mr Williamson suggested Robinson travelled to Benidorm regularly, which should have lessened the officer's suspicions about him.
Prosecutor Jo Morris said the officer had concerns about Mr Robinson's "notoriety for associating with far-right activists".
"It is a reasonable suspicion to think that on his telephone there may be information relevant to acts of terrorism," she added.
If found guilty, Robinson could be jailed for up to three months and/or receive a £2,500 fine.