Founder of the group behind anti-immigration protests interrupts interview with Reform's Zia Yusuf in Portsmouth

The founder of the group behind the anti-immigration protests at Dover on Saturday has interrupted an interview with Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf in Portsmouth.

Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo – an associate of ring-wing activist Tommy Robinson – spoke to the Reform UK home affairs spokesperson at length, following Mr Yusuf’s at-times heated interviews with news outlets.

It follows the protests last night after around 140 migrants who were crossing the Channel were brought to Portsmouth before being transferred to formal immigration facilities in the early hours of this morning.

The Patriot Platform group has been criticised for wearing masks and all-black clothing in Dover across the political spectrum, including by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Many also wore black and has face coverings at last night’s protests in Eastney.

Hampshire resident Mr Thomas, who founded Patriot Platform in July, dashed around the large crowd of reporters and said: “You have to understand, Yusuf, that what we’re trying to do and the reason the Patriot Platform has been created is not because of violence. We’re not looking to intimidate anyone.

“Let me start by first explaining to you why the men are wearing masks. As you know, and as Nigel knows, the left in this country target us massively. We have working-class men who are bricklayers, who are roofers, who are carpenters, who build the houses that you live in. They build the roads that you drive on. They do all of that stuff. The reason they’re covering their faces is because we know they’re going to be targeted.”

He added: “What Nigel Farage has done is not good. When you call people disgusting, yeah, you have to understand the reasons of why this is happening.”

Mr Yusuf told Mr Thomas, to ensure there was no violence from his group towards the police, with Hampshire Police confirming that a small number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries last night.

Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman said: “I just want to make that really clear, just so that we’re really clear about this, right? There is never any excuse for violence against police officers who are doing their job. They are taking orders, and that is what it is.”

Mr Thomas said there was no violence in Dover and when questioned about his group’s masks and attire being intimidating said: “The reason people felt potentially intimidated was because of the faces covered. I’ve made that point very clear.

“The only reason they’ve done that is because no one wants to be labelled far right.”

Mr Thomas also denied that the protesters were responsible for any criminal damage in Eastney, including damage to police and Home Office vehicles. Instead he said it was ‘probably done by the left trying to make us look bad.’

He told Mr Yusif: “What we’re doing right now is creating an infrastructure of men, not for violence, not to commit crimes, but to create a voting bloc.

“So, in 12, in 18 months’ time, we convert into a voting bloc, and that voting bloc will go to the most suitable candidate and to the most suitable party that is able to bring this country back into order.”

He added: “We’re going to give you the opportunity to do what you’re saying you’re going to do.

“But if your leader, your boss, slanders me, they’re going to push (us) into other parties. At the end of the day, I do like what… some (other) parties are doing.

“In reality, you have the best chances, you have the best speeches, but at the moment, it’s just words. We want that to become action.”