Daniel Thomas is remanded in custody after appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Daniel Thomas is remanded in custody after appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Daniel Thomas is remanded in custody after appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Daniel Thomas is remanded in custody after appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Daniel Thomas, an anti-migrant activist known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, has been refused bail by Portsmouth Crown Court in connection with the alleged slashing of a dinghy used by migrants in the English Channel. The 37-year-old, whose address was withheld by the court, appeared via videolink during a hearing where he was accused of criminal damage after a video surfaced showing him slashing a boat with a knife. The incident reportedly occurred around 16:30 BST on 22 September, with Thomas allegedly livestreaming the act to a large audience. He is also charged with failing to disclose the PIN to his phone. Thomas did not enter a plea during the hearing but had previously pleaded not guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court. His defense counsel, Simon Pentol KC, proposed a 'package of bail conditions' as an alternative to remand in custody, arguing the allegations were 'politically charged and fundamentally flawed.' However, Judge James Newton-Price KC refused bail, stating he was 'not concerned with the political issues or motivations in this matter and I put them aside in deciding this matter.' The defendant, wearing a grey t-shirt and holding a copy of the Bible, was remanded in custody with a provisional trial date set for 1 March. Supporters gathered outside the court to hear the outcome. The case has drawn attention due to Thomas's public statements, including 'this is what needs to happen' and 'this is England, this isn't France any more,' which were reportedly made during the livestream. The court heard that the boat in question was adrift in the sea with a rescue crew member on board at the time of the alleged incident. The case has been described as part of a broader context of tensions surrounding migrant crossings in the Channel, with Thomas being a prominent figure in anti-migrant activism. The BBC has verified the details of the case based on court proceedings and available evidence.