Hundreds Rally Outside Police Centre as CPS Charges Danny Tommo With Criminal Damage Over Boat Stunt

Hundreds of supporters trooped to a Basingstoke police investigation centre in support of far-right activist Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, who was arrested in relation to the slashing of a dinghy in the English Channel. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged Thomas with criminal damage and failure to comply with a notice under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

It was initially feared that he would also be charged with endangering the life of a rescue worker who was on the boat when Thomas was filmed slashing a rubber boat that had previously carried around 50 migrants. The activist is expected to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday, 25 September 2026.

Tommo Supporters

'Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings,' CPS stated in its press release. 'We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.'

An estimated 300 people in black clothes gathered outside the police investigation centre in support of Thomas, with some wearing hoods or face coverings. They are believed to be members of Patriot Platform, the far-right anti-migrant group led by Thomas.

The group first appeared publicly earlier this month, when black-clad protesters gathered in Dover and blocked roads near the port. Thomas became the leader of the so-called Patriots, who loudly oppose illegal immigration.

Tommy Robinson Leads Fund-Raising

One of Thomas's biggest supporters is Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who was also his former boss. Thomas used to work as a bodyguard for Robinson, who is now raising funds to give his former employee the 'best defence possible.'

The fund-raising activity has raised eyebrows among social media users. One asked: 'How much has been raised so far?? Where can people see the progress on how much is actually saved? What's the goal?'

'The UK Crown Prosecution Service decided it was in the PUBLIC INTEREST to charge Danny Tommo with "criminal damage" of a dinghy used by people smugglers to invade our country,' Robinson said of Thomas's criminal charges.

Thomas was filmed slashing a rubber boat in the English Channel on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. A French rescuer was on board during the incident.

French Leader Criticises Paris Admin

French opposition lawmaker Thomas Portes criticised Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu for keeping silent on the issue even when the incident almost endangered the life of a constituent. 'British neo-Nazi Danny Tommo films himself slashing a migrant dinghy with a knife in the Channel while a French rescuer is on board,' Portes said on social media.

'Not a word from Lecornu and his government. Radio silence. Government of shame that bows down before the far right!' he also said.

The migrants were travelling from Normandy. They were transferred to rescue boats, with the RNLI later facilitating their transfer to a Border Force vessel. The viral video showed that the boat Thomas approached on his livestream was devoid of people but contained many lifejackets.

According to French coastguards, the boat left Normandy on Monday morning and had been at sea for more than 33 hours 'in precarious conditions.'