Balaclava-clad anti-migrant activists, led by Daniel Thomas, known as 'Danny Tommo,' staged a protest on September 9, 2026, outside the offices of the Daily Mail in London. Thomas, the 37-year-old founder of Patriot Platform, organized the demonstration in response to the newspaper's reporting on his family background and recent anti-migrant actions.
Earlier in the week, Thomas had led protests in Dover and Portsmouth. On Sunday, demonstrators chanting "stop the boats" blockaded the Port of Dover, causing significant traffic delays and leading to missed ferry crossings for holidaymakers. The following day, a similar group gathered in Portsmouth, reportedly attempting to prevent lifeboats carrying 140 migrants rescued from the English Channel from reaching the shore. The Portsmouth protest resulted in injuries to several police officers and damage to vehicles.
Thomas accused the Daily Mail of "doxxing my mother’s address," which he defined as publishing private information without permission. However, the newspaper stated that the article in question only included the name of his company and the city where his mother resides.
In reaction to the coverage, Thomas called for his followers to assemble outside the Daily Mail's west London offices, where they were met by Metropolitan Police officers. Dozens of protesters, many wearing black uniforms and with faces covered, formed a formation outside the building.
Thomas, who served as a tank driver with the King's Royal Hussars before being discharged on medical grounds, has a history of activism. He previously worked as a bodyguard for Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, and has been described by some as his successor. In 2016, Thomas was sentenced to two years in prison for an incident involving a home invasion with two accomplices.
Thomas describes his supporters as "working-class men who are bricklayers, roofers and carpenters." However, reports indicate a different background for Thomas himself, who attended a private school in Hampshire, and whose father was a university-educated skiing enthusiast. While the now-defunct English Defence League was known for its street protests, Thomas maintains that his movement adheres to a "non-violent" approach, despite the intimidating appearance of his followers and his rhetoric.
