GOSPORT — Far-right activist Daniel Thomas was arrested on Wednesday night on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after slashing an inflatable dinghy in the English Channel while a rescue worker was onboard. Thomas appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday morning and pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Gosport, Hampshire, on Tuesday evening under the mistaken belief that a small boat carrying asylum seekers was due to arrive. Six people were arrested following an anti-migrant protest at Gosport marina in Hampshire. Thomas called for protesters to gather in Gosport.

Thomas, who styles himself as Danny Tommo, spent Tuesday afternoon in a speedboat in the Channel broadcasting his pursuit of asylum seekers to more than 100,000 viewers. He used a blade to slash an inflatable dinghy in the Channel while a rescue worker was onboard. He shouted, "Get off the boat. You’ve got time to get off the boat," to a rescue worker onboard the dinghy.

He also shouted, "This is England. This is not France any more," while slashing the dinghy. After slashing the dinghy and sailing away, he shouted, "Traitors."

He said the purpose of slashing the dinghy was to ensure "that is one boat that won’t be used again." Upon his arrest, he said: "I understand. I knew this was coming." Police stated Thomas was suspected of committing offences under section 11 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 and section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

In addition to the charge of causing criminal damage, Thomas pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose his phone PIN number to police under section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The court refused bail. A hearing is scheduled to take place in Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday, 29 September.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary responded to the incident and stated that a 37-year-old man of no fixed abode had been arrested after a boat that had an emergency responder on board was damaged in the Channel.

Fran Heathcote, general secretary of the PCS union, condemned the act. "PCS unreservedly condemns this life-threatening and criminal behaviour. Our members do an important and dangerous job and this inference is reckless in the extreme," Heathcote said.

A Home Office spokesperson addressed the situation, stating: "We have been clear that groups creating fear and intimidating communities cannot be allowed to operate with impunity. Police should make full use of the powers available to them to deal robustly with criminality and ensure communities, staff and those in their care are protected. Recent events demonstrate the need to learn lessons and adapt our response to new tactics, ensuring police have the tools, intelligence and operational plans needed to act quickly and effectively."

Donna Jones, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said she had urged Border Force to transfer the migrants to Dover. Hampshire is not prepared or set up to process people travelling into Britain this way, and the burden on the police to deal with the arrival and potential protest activity is unsustainable," Jones said. Defence Minister Luke Pollard stated that a Home Office investigation was under way into the border security incidents. "Our borders are secure, but we want to make them stronger," Pollard said."

On Monday, five people were detained and passed to Border Security Command after a dinghy made it to shore at Folkestone, Kent. Border Security Command has detained 21 migrants in response to recent incidents in Dover. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered a review after the Border Force failed to intercept a second dinghy in two days.

A total of 17,480 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel by boat so far this year. The total number of migrant arrivals so far in 2026 is down 46% on the same point last year.

Why It Matters

The incident shows ongoing tensions regarding Channel crossings and the actions of activist groups. Between January 1 and September 5, 2026, 16,513 people crossed the English Channel by small boat, a 43% decrease compared to the same period in 2025, according to reports. The average number of people per boat crossing the Channel between September 6, 2025, and September 5, 2026, was 68, more than double the figure from 2021. The United Nations reported 84 deaths during Channel crossings in 2024, showing the risks of overcrowded vessels, as noted.

Thomas has a history of activism and legal issues. In 2025, he was involved in an incident where he was arrested for assault after confronting a group of asylum seekers on the French coast. He has been linked to Tommy Robinson, a prominent anti-migrant and anti-Muslim activist, since his release from prison in 2018.

Thomas was previously jailed for two years in 2016 after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping at knifepoint, according to reports. In July 2026, he launched a new initiative called 'Patriot Platform,' promoting what he described as 'mass resistance' without violence. Thomas founded 'Patriot Platform,' a movement described as a 'mass resistance' campaign to 'take our country back,' according to reports. He has been documented harassing migrants on French beaches and livestreaming these actions to over 100,000 followers.

Timeline

By September 5, 2026, between January 1 and September 5, 2026, 16,513 people crossed the English Channel by small boat, a 43% decrease compared to the same period in 2025, according to reports.

During the incident, Thomas shouted, "Get off the boat. He also shouted, "This is England. Thomas said the purpose of slashing the dinghy was to ensure "that is one boat that won’t be used again." After slashing the dinghy and sailing away, Thomas shouted, "Traitors."

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that Thomas was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life after slashing an inflatable dinghy in the English Channel on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, while a rescue worker was onboard. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary responded to the incident and stated that a 37-year-old man of no fixed abode had been arrested after a boat that had an emergency responder on board was damaged in the Channel. Additional details emerged regarding his statements during the incident, including that he shouted, "Get off the boat. You’ve got time to get off the boat," to a rescue worker onboard the dinghy.

He also shouted, "This is England. This is not France any more," while slashing the dinghy. Thomas said the purpose of slashing the dinghy was to ensure "that is one boat that won’t be used again." Upon his arrest, he said: "I understand. I knew this was coming." Background information also noted that in 2025, he was involved in an incident where he was arrested for assault after confronting a group of asylum seekers on the French coast. Furthermore, no inspection, license, or enforcement history was found for Thomas or the Border Security Command in the context of this specific incident.