200 protesters gather at Hampshire Police station after arrest of 'Danny Tommo'
The far-right activist filmed himself being arrested
Around 200 protesters have gathered outside a police station in Hampshire following the arrest of far-right activist Daniel Thomas.
It comes after the 37-year-old, also known as Danny Tommo, uploaded footage on YouTube appearing to show him being arrested, with the officer telling him he is being detained on suspicion of criminal damage “recklessly endangering someone’s life”.
Several hundred people, largely wearing black, gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening, believing that Mr Thomas was inside.
They arrived together at just before 6.30pm and stood on the road outside the investigation centre and began chanting “free DT”. Most were not masked, though some could be seen wearing face coverings.
Meanwhile Thomas, aged 37 and of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of criminal damage. He has also been charged with a further offence under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), for allegedly failing to comply with a notice to disclose a phone PIN number to police
Mr Thomas appears to have also filmed his own arrest following the incident in a video streamed on his channel last night.
The footage shows Mr Thomas getting out of a car which looked to be blocked in by other vehicles at a petrol station.
A Hampshire Police statement said: “A man has been charged in connection with an incident that occurred in the English Channel on Tuesday 22 September.
“Daniel Thomas, aged 37 and of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of criminal damage.
“He has also been charged with a further offence under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), for allegedly failing to comply with a notice to disclose a phone PIN number to police.
“The charges follow an allegation made to police that damage had been caused to a boat in the Channel whilst an emergency responder was on board.
“He was remanded in custody to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday 25 September).”
Hundreds of activists gathered in Gosport on Tuesday after Mr Thomas filmed himself going out to sea to try to intercept a dinghy carrying dozens of migrants.