Anti-Migrant Activist Investigated for Slashing Dinghy in English Channel

British police are investigating an anti-migrant activist, known online as 'Danny Tommo,' after he posted a video of himself slashing a migrant dinghy in the English Channel with a knife. The incident occurred while a French rescuer was still aboard the vessel attempting to secure it.

The activist, whose real name is Daniel Thomas, was filmed puncturing the dinghy with a knife after all the migrants onboard had been transferred to the care of the RNLI and Border Force. In the video, Thomas confronts the French rescuer, asserting, "You're on English territory. This is England, this is not France any more," and repeatedly urges the rescuer to leave the boat.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed they are aware of the video and are conducting inquiries into the matter. "We are aware of a video circulating online relating to damage being caused to a boat in the English Channel on the afternoon of September 22, and we are conducting enquiries into the matter," a police spokesman stated.

The dinghy, carrying 51 migrants, had embarked on a journey from Port-en-Bessin in Normandy, France, and arrived in Dover after an extended 38-hour voyage. This duration is believed to be the longest recorded for a small-boat migrant crossing to the UK. The journey was shadowed by French authorities and a French Navy helicopter. A spokesperson for local rescue services indicated that the boat was in poor condition and low in the water, and that a decision was made to escort it without intervention due to safety concerns.

The migrants were transferred from the dinghy to RNLI lifeboats and subsequently to Border Force vessel HMC Vigilant.

Prior to the migrants' arrival in Dover, a crowd of protesters had gathered in Gosport, Hampshire, anticipating the boat might dock there. However, the vessel was rerouted to Dover. Hampshire Police reported arresting six individuals in Gosport for offenses including careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker, and aggravated trespass, citing some remaining protesters becoming 'hostile' towards officers.

This incident has intensified scrutiny on the effectiveness of the UK's £662 million deal with France aimed at preventing Channel crossings. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the situation, stating, "This latest fiasco shows that the French are not even trying to stop the illegal immigrants' boats in French waters – instead they are escorting them here." He added that border security had descended into "chaos" and that the deal with France was "clearly not working."

Conservative proposals include ending accommodation and benefits for illegal immigrants and deporting them upon arrival.

As of Sunday, 17,480 migrants had arrived via the Channel this year. A government spokesperson reiterated that the Border Security Command operates around the clock to protect the border and process all small boat arrivals.