Police are investigating a livestream that appears to show anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas slashing at an inflatable dinghy with a knife in the English Channel. The boat had earlier carried about 50 migrants who were rescued by RNLI lifeboats and taken to Dover. No migrants were aboard during the incident; a French coastguard official was present. Authorities have launched inquiries and campaigners condemned the footage.
Police Investigate Live Video of Anti‑Migrant Activist Slashing Inflatable Boat in English Channel
Daniel Thomas, seen here in June, has been involved in organising anti-migrant protests [PA Media]
Police are investigating a live-streamed video that appears to show anti-migrant campaigner Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, making repeated slashing motions with a knife against the hull of an inflatable dinghy in the English Channel.
What Happened
The inflatable had earlier carried about 50 migrants who launched from a beach in Normandy and were later taken aboard two RNLI lifeboats when the craft reached the UK search and rescue area. The passengers were transported to Dover for processing.
Footage shows Thomas on a yellow speedboat providing commentary to an online audience of more than 15,000 viewers as a transfer was taking place. The clip then shows him steering alongside the inflatable, producing a small knife and making cuts at the rubber side of the dinghy. At the time there were no migrants on the boat; a French coastguard official from the vessel Abeille Liberté was present and can be seen boarding the empty craft in mid-Channel.
As the coastguard official boarded, Thomas can be heard saying: 'Right, you are on English territory. This is England. This is not France any more.'
Thomas later told his followers that the intention was to prevent the boat being taken back to France and reused. It is unclear from the livestream whether his actions caused any actual damage to the inflatable.
Official Response and Reactions
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed they are conducting inquiries into an incident of alleged damage to a boat on the afternoon of 22 September. The force said they were aware of the circulating video and are investigating.
Campaign group Stand Up To Racism described the footage on X as 'disgusting.' Observers have also noted that some anti-migrant activists appear to be changing tactics and attempting to mobilise supporters through online livestreams.
There is no evidence that dinghies used by migrants to cross the Channel have been taken back to France and reused.
Note: The report is based on the available livestream and statements from involved parties; police inquiries remain ongoing.
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