Who Is Danny Tommo? Anti-Migrant Activist Denied Bail Over Channel Boat Case

Daniel Thomas, known to supporters as Danny Tommo, has been refused bail and remanded in custody after appearing in court over allegations that he damaged a migrant boat in the English Channel. The 37-year-old appeared by videolink at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and is accused of slashing the boat with a knife while a rescue crew member was on board on Sept. 22.

Thomas previously pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage and failing to disclose the PIN for his phone to police. A provisional trial date has been set for March 1, 2027.

The case has attracted attention because Thomas is an anti-migrant activist who has used social media to broadcast his activities. Prosecutors allege that he livestreamed from the English Channel while the incident took place. Thomas’ defense has rejected the allegations and described the case as politically charged.

Who is Danny Tommo?

Thomas is an anti-migrant activist known to supporters as Danny Tommo. He has used social media to broadcast his activities and has become associated with activism focused on migration and small boats crossing the English Channel.

The current case concerns the alleged damage to one boat and the separate phone-related charge. His political views and activism are separate from whether the criminal allegations are ultimately proven in court.

Why was Danny Tommo denied bail?

Thomas appeared in court wearing a gray T-shirt and holding a Bible. His lawyer, Simon Pentol KC, proposed a “package of bail conditions” that he said would allow Thomas to return to his family while remaining under strict restrictions.

Pentol argued that Thomas understood the consequences of breaking any bail conditions and was prepared to comply with them.

“He is prepared to put himself in that position to be able to return to his family today,” Pentol told the court, according to The Independent.

The defense lawyer also described the case as “politically charged and fundamentally flawed.” He argued that Thomas was facing charges of criminal damage and failing to comply with a notice concerning access to his phone, rather than charges connected to wider public disorder.

Judge James Newton-Price KC rejected the bail request.

“I am not concerned with the political issues or motivations in this matter, and I put them aside in deciding this matter,” the judge told the court.

Thomas was therefore remanded in custody while the case moves toward trial.

What is Danny Tommo accused of doing?

The allegations relate to an incident on Sept. 22 in the English Channel.

Prosecutors allege that Thomas used his social media platform to livestream himself from the Channel at about 4:30 p.m. BST. During the livestream, he allegedly used a knife to slash a dinghy that had previously been used by migrants.

A rescue crew member was reportedly on board the vessel when the alleged damage occurred.

The BBC reported that Thomas was heard saying, “this is what needs to happen” and “this is England, this isn’t France any more.”

The allegations have not been proven in court. Thomas has pleaded not guilty.

What charges does Thomas face?

Thomas faces two charges. The first is criminal damage relating to the boat. The second concerns an allegation that he failed to disclose the PIN for his phone to police under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

At his first appearance at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Sept. 25, it was heard that the value of the damage had not yet been established. The boat was taken back to France, making it difficult to determine whether the damage was worth more or less than £5,000.

The potential punishment depends partly on the value of the damage. According to The Independent, criminal damage worth more than £5,000 can carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, while damage below that threshold can carry a maximum of a fine and three months in prison.

What happens next in the case?

Thomas will remain in custody for now. His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12, when the court is expected to deal with the progress of the case and evidence.

The trial is provisionally scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027. The court has also set custody time limits running until March 25, according to the judge. Thomas’ case has drawn a small group of supporters to court, but the legal proceedings will focus on the specific allegations against him.

The court has not ruled that Thomas committed the alleged damage. His not-guilty pleas mean the allegations remain to be tested at trial.