A boat intended to help patrol the English Channel for the anti-migrant group Patriot Platform has sunk, prompting a new fundraising effort.
Daniel Thomas, 37, founder of Patriot Platform, described his group as consisting of "working-class men who are bricklayers, roofers and carpenters." The group has been involved in recent anti-migrant disturbances in Dover and Portsmouth.
Thomas's followers contributed to the purchase of the small rigid-hulled inflatable boat, named 'The Patriot.' The vessel sank within weeks of its deployment. Thomas later launched a crowdfunding appeal to salvage the boat after it sank in Littlehampton Harbour, West Sussex.
He suggested on his YouTube channel that left-wing activists might be responsible for sabotage, sharing a video titled: "EMERGENCY: Left Trying To Seize/Destroy Our Boat – Need To Move It ASAP! #ThePatriot." He appealed for funds, stating, "I'm paying £400 myself, just need a little help with the rest if your able to! If you can help in any way, please support us right now. Every contribution gets the boat out and back into action. This is our boat. Our future. Our resistance."
However, The Times reported that the vessel encountered mechanical issues at the mouth of the river Arun and began to sink in Littlehampton Harbour, where officials retrieved it. While Thomas has since collected the boat, its current whereabouts are unknown, and it has reportedly not been used since the incident.
A campaign on the website GiveSendGo has raised over £20,000. Thomas has stated that donations will be used for "new boats and marine equipment for essential water-based operations," as well as fuel, accommodation, and storage for the group's assets.
Thomas has previously shared invoices suggesting he was charged £1,775 by Littlehampton Harbour, including £738 for the use of a recovery vessel. On August 25, he posted a video of the boat on X, stating, "'The Patriot' is about to receive a full makeover and will return stronger than ever, ready for the Patriot Platform. Thank you to the lads who are about to make her sea worthy again."
Thomas, known as 'Danny Tommo,' has a history of legal issues. He previously served prison time after being convicted of kidnapping and is a known associate of far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson. Thomas, a father of four and roofing company director, has a military background, having served as a tank driver before being discharged on medical grounds. He has spoken about a past violent period in his life that led him to become a Christian activist. In 2016, he was jailed for two years after being involved in an incident where he and two accomplices broke into a man's home, armed with knives, and accused him of stealing drugs.
The Daily Mail has approached Thomas for comment on the recent sinking.