Anti-Migrant Activist's Supporters Protest Arrest

Hundreds of supporters of anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, who uses the moniker Danny Tommo, gathered outside the Police Investigation Centre in Basingstoke, Hampshire, on Thursday evening following his arrest.

Approximately 250 members of Thomas' group, Patriot Platform, arrived at the police station around 6:30 p.m., joining about 50 protesters already present. The crowd chanted slogans such as 'free DT' and 'Oh Danny Danny,' and some wore balaclavas while carrying the St George and Union flags. Police officers filmed the gathering, and a drone monitored the scene from overhead. A spokesman for the group urged participants to remove face coverings shortly after their arrival.

Later in the evening, the protesters paused for prayer, which was relayed via loudspeaker. The crowd then sang 'we want our Danny back,' and some individuals aimed laser pens at the police station. The demonstration caused brief disruptions to traffic, with one motorist displaying England and Scotland flags honking in support, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Thomas was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of multiple offenses, including destroying ships or endangering their safety, criminal damage with intent to endanger life, and conduct endangering ships, structures, or individuals. These charges stem from footage posted online Tuesday night showing Thomas appearing to slash a dinghy in the English Channel with a blade while a French rescue worker was on board.

A masked member of Patriot Platform, a group known for organizing anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth, had previously called for followers to gather at the Basingstoke police station via social media. Far-right figure Tommy Robinson also urged supporters to travel to the town through his X account.

Footage that Thomas appeared to livestream during his arrest at a BP garage on Wednesday night was later reposted, showing him asking to 'say goodbye to my kids.' An officer can be heard explaining the arrest, citing 'criminal damage recklessly endangering someone’s life.'

Thomas' arrest follows an incident where he was seen in YouTube footage slashing and stabbing a dinghy that had been used to transport migrants. The video showed him confronting a crew member who had boarded to apparently return the vessel to France. Earlier that day, hundreds of activists had gathered in Gosport after Thomas filmed himself going out to sea in an attempt to intercept a dinghy carrying migrants.