Danny Tommo remanded in custody until March 2027
Acton Activist Daniel Thomas Remanded in Custody Ahead of 2027 Trial Over Channel Boat Incident
PORTSMOUTH — Anti-immigration activist Daniel Thomas, well known online under the pseudonym “Danny Tommo,” has been remanded in custody at HMP Winchester following an appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Thomas, the founder of the activist group Patriot Platform and a close associate of high-profile figure Tommy Robinson, faces charges stemming from an incident in the English Channel on 22 September 2026.
The Incident and Legal Charges
The prosecution alleges that during a maritime interception, Thomas recorded and livestreamed himself boarding a migrant dinghy. While a French coastguard responder was reportedly present on the vessel, Thomas is accused of using a blade to intentionally slash and disable the inflatable craft.
Appearing before Judge James Newton-Price KC, Thomas pleaded not guilty to:
- One count of criminal damage causing a danger to life.
- Failing to disclose his mobile phone PIN to law enforcement officers, an offense under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
Defense counsel Simon Pentol KC submitted a proposed bail package on behalf of the defendant. However, the application was denied by the bench. In delivering his ruling on the remand decision, Judge Newton-Price KC emphasized the objectivity of the court, stating explicitly:
“I am not concerned with the political issues or motivations in this matter and I put them aside in deciding this matter.”
Projected Trial Timeline
The refusal of bail ensures that Thomas will remain incarcerated for an extended pre-trial period. The court has scheduled a provisional trial date for 1 March 2027 to address the criminal damage charge.
A secondary hearing regarding the non-disclosure of his mobile device PIN is expected to follow later in the year, tentatively projected for November 2027.
Political Commentary and Public Reaction
The judicial decision to deny bail has sparked sharp criticism from right-wing commentators and alternative media figures, who argue that the duration of the pre-trial detention is disproportionate.
Political blogger Paul Weston publicly condemned the ruling online, describing the extended remand as “totalitarian” and suggesting it reflects systemic institutional bias against nationalist dissidents. Supporters of the Patriot Platform have echoed these sentiments, framing the strict application of remand as an effort by the state to suppress anti-immigration activism.
Conversely, legal analysts note that remand decisions in cases involving potential danger to life or persistent non-cooperation with police data requests routinely prioritize public safety and the preservation of evidence, independent of political context.