What we know about anti-migrant protests and organiser Danny Thomas
Police arrested three men, including a 76-year-old for concealing his identity, after anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth turned violent on Saturday. Approximately 400 protesters clashed with Stand Up To Racism activists as they left Guildhall Square. While the event was billed as peaceful, footage shows protesters shouting "scum" before scuffles broke out with officers. Organiser Danny Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, has seen an increase in donations following the rally, which the Portsmouth Patriots described as their largest to date.
What changed
Police arrested three individuals following violent clashes between anti-migrant protesters and Stand Up To Racism activists in Portsmouth.
Live updates
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Three arrested after anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth
Police arrested three men, including a 76-year-old for concealing his identity, after anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth turned violent on Saturday. Approximately 400 protesters clashed with Stand Up To Racism activists as they left Guildhall Square. While the event was billed as peaceful, footage shows protesters shouting "scum" before scuffles broke out with officers. Organiser Danny Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, has seen an increase in donations following the rally, which the Portsmouth Patriots described as their largest to date.
Why it matters
Danny Thomas is a convicted kidnapper and founder of Patriot Platform who targets working-class tradespeople for recruitment. His movement has previously paralyzed the Port of Dover and opposed migrant vessels in Portsmouth. Thomas has a history of public conflict with Reform UK officials regarding his methods.
What is confirmed
- Police arrested three men in Portsmouth after anti-migrant protests ended in violence.
- A 76-year-old man was arrested for concealing his identity during the Portsmouth protests.
- Approximately 400 protesters and rival activists from Stand Up To Racism clashed after leaving Guildhall Square.
- Danny Thomas is a convicted kidnapper and founder of Patriot Platform.
Still unconfirmed
- Donations for Danny Thomas are growing in proportion to the size of the Portsmouth rally.
- The Portsmouth Patriots claim the Portsmouth event was their biggest protest yet.
What to watch next
- Charges filed against the three men arrested in Portsmouth
- Police reports on the failure to assess Dover protest warnings
- Further public responses from Reform UK regarding Danny Thomas
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
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- www.dailymail.com — Man, 76, is arrested for 'concealing his identity' amid angry clashes at anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth after police warned against face coverings
- observer.co.uk — Donations roll in for far-right ‘Danny Tommo’ as anti-migrant rally hits Portsmouth
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Convicted kidnapper Daniel Thomas leads balaclava-clad anti-migrant protests
Daniel Thomas, a 37-year-old convicted kidnapper and founder of Patriot Platform, organized anti-migrant demonstrations that paralyzed the Port of Dover. Thomas describes his followers as working-class tradespeople, including bricklayers and carpenters. These protests extended to Portsmouth, where demonstrators entered the water to oppose a vessel carrying 140 migrants. While masked men blocked traffic in Dover, Kent Police admitted they received warnings about the protests a day in advance but failed to fully assess the information. Thomas has also publicly clashed with Reform UK officials over the nature of these demonstrations.
Why it matters
The protests highlight a rift between grassroots anti-migrant activists and political figures like Nigel Farage, who called the Dover tactics disgusting. The use of balaclavas and the strategic blocking of critical infrastructure indicate a high level of coordination. Police are facing scrutiny for their failure to prevent the resulting traffic gridlock.
What is confirmed
- Daniel Thomas, 37, founded Patriot Platform and organized anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth.
- Masked demonstrators blocked traffic at the Port of Dover and entered the water in Portsmouth as a vessel with 140 migrants arrived.
- Kent Police received warnings of possible protests on Friday but did not fully assess the information.
- Nigel Farage described the masked protesters in Dover as disgusting.
Still unconfirmed
- Daniel Thomas is a privately educated convicted kidnapper.
What to watch next
- Police investigation into the failure to act on protest warnings
- Legal proceedings or charges related to the Dover traffic blockages
- Further public responses from Reform UK leadership
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.dailymail.com — The real 'Danny Tommo': Privately educated convicted kidnapper at head of sinister balaclava-clad anti-migrant protesters
- www.yahoo.com — Police warned of protests the day before, force says
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Masked Protesters Block Dover Traffic in Anti-Migrant Demonstrations
Masked men blocking traffic brought the UK's Port of Dover to a standstill during an anti-immigrant demonstration organized by Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo. The protests involved weeks of preparation and extended to Portsmouth, where demonstrators waded into the water as a vessel carrying 140 migrants arrived. During the Portsmouth demonstration, Thomas confronted Reform UK official Zia Yusuf and warned party leader Nigel Farage to watch his words. Farage had previously condemned the masked protesters in Dover as disgusting, while police faced intense questioning over the severe traffic disruption caused by the demonstrators.
Why it matters
The disruptions highlight rising tensions surrounding maritime migrant arrivals at British ports and the increasing visibility of far-right protest groups like Patriot Platform. The involvement of figures associated with Tommy Robinson draws acute scrutiny to the operational coordination behind these blockades. Law enforcement agencies are now under pressure to explain their handling of the traffic disruptions.
What is confirmed
- Masked men blocked traffic to the UK's Port of Dover in an apparent anti-immigrant protest.
- Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, organised the demonstration in Dover after weeks of preparation.
- Thomas is an associate of right-wing protester Tommy Robinson.
- Demonstrators waded into the sea as a boat carrying 140 migrants arrived in Portsmouth.
- Thomas confronted Reform UK's Zia Yusuf at the Portsmouth demonstration and warned Nigel Farage to be careful with his words.
- Nigel Farage described masked protesters at Dover as disgusting following the disorder.
Still unconfirmed
- Police responses to the Dover disruption have drawn direct questions over operational failures during the protests.
What to watch next
- Any official policy changes or investigative actions by police regarding the Port of Dover disruptions.
- Further public responses from Reform UK leadership to the warnings issued by organiser Daniel Thomas.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (8)
- CNN — Masked men block traffic to UK’s Port of Dover in apparent anti-immigrant protest
- The Telegraph — Who are the masked protesters who brought Dover to a standstill?
- ft.com — Police face questions over Dover disruption caused by masked protesters
- The Times — Who is ‘Danny Tommo’, the man behind Port of Dover protests?
- bbc.com — How anti-migrant boat protests were organised and who is behind them
- theguardian.com — What is Patriot Platform, the far-right group that descended on Dover and Portsmouth?
- www.bbc.co.uk — What we know about anti-migrant protests and organiser Danny Thomas
- www.dailymail.com — Moment anti-migrant organiser 'Danny Tommo' confronts Reform UK's Zia Yusuf at scene of Portsmouth demo - and warns Nigel Farage to be 'careful with his words'