Anti-migrant activist Danny Tommo charged over ‘boat slashing’

He has been charged with criminal damage

These charges follow on from a video which appeared to show Thomas slash a dinghy in the Channel while a rescue crew member was on board.

The full police press release read: "A man has been charged in connection with an incident that occurred in the English Channel on Tuesday 22 September.

"Daniel Thomas, aged 37 and of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of criminal damage.

"He has also been charged with a further offence under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), for allegedly failing to comply with a notice to disclose a phone PIN number to police.

"The charges follow an allegation made to police that damage had been caused to a boat in the Channel whilst an emergency responder was on board.

"He was remanded in custody to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday 25 September)."

Thomas, who leads anti-migration group Patriot Platform, was arrested on Wednesday following this incident which happened on Tuesday.

A Hampshire Police statement from his arrest read: “A man has been arrested after a boat that had an emergency responder on board, was damaged in English Channel.

“We received a report of the incident on Tuesday evening.

“Last night (Wednesday 23 September), a 37-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of destroying ships or fixed platforms or endangering their safety under Section 11 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, criminal damage, criminal damage with intent to endanger life, and conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals under Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

“He remains in custody at this time.”

Footage shared online shows the moment of his arrest.

Thomas is approached by police at a petrol station, with an officer heard telling him: “The information I’ve been given suggests that you’ve been involved in some damage.”

Thomas asks whether he can “speak to his kids” before an officer tells him he is being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and recklessly endangering someone’s life.

Thomas then appears to be placed in handcuffs before the footage cuts out.