Migrant Activist Charged After Dinghy Damaged in Channel

Daniel Thomas, an anti-migrant activist, has been charged with criminal damage following a video that appeared to show him slashing a dinghy in the English Channel. Hampshire Police confirmed the charges against him.

Thomas, 37, is also accused of failing to disclose the PIN to his phone. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court via videolink on Friday.

Hundreds of people gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basing, believing Thomas was inside. The demonstration, which began shortly before 18:30 BST, was peaceful and included chanting 'free DT'.

The crowd dispersed around 21:45 BST after learning of the charges against Thomas. Hampshire Police had previously stated an arrest was made after a boat with an emergency responder on board was damaged in the Channel.

Thomas, who has no fixed address, was held on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life, 'destroying ships' under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, and 'conduct endangering ships' under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

A French coastguard official was on board when Thomas appeared to slash at the vessel. Around 50 migrants who had traveled in the boat from Normandy had already been transferred to RNLI lifeboats and later moved to a UK Border Force vessel for processing in Dover.