Story perspectives

Far-Right Activist Daniel Thomas Charged Over Migrant Boat Attack

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 2:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Far-right activist Daniel Thomas was charged with criminal damage for slashing a migrant boat in the English Channel.
He also faced a Section 53 RIPA charge for refusing to disclose his phone’s PIN to police.
Thomas appeared via videolink at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on 25 September and pleaded not guilty.
He was denied bail and remanded in custody.
A crown-court trial is scheduled for 29 September at Portsmouth Crown Court.

History

Historical Context

The Channel Tunnel opened in May 1994, linking Folkestone and Calais and quickly became a migrant route. By 1997 the problem attracted press, and the French Red Cross opened a Sangatte centre in 1999 for up to 1,500 asylum seekers; Eurotunnel logged 37,000 interceptions in early 2015. Controls then shifted crossings to small boats, paving the way for the recent extremist attack on a migrant vessel.

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Story summary

Far-right activist Daniel Thomas was charged with criminal damage for slashing a migrant boat in the English Channel.
He also faced a Section 53 RIPA charge for refusing to disclose his phone’s PIN to police.
Thomas appeared via videolink at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on 25 September and pleaded not guilty.
He was denied bail and remanded in custody.
A crown-court trial is scheduled for 29 September at Portsmouth Crown Court.

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