Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and failing to disclose the PIN to his phone, following his arrest after a video circulated online appearing to show him slashing a dinghy in the Channel.

Thomas, 37, who is known to supporters as Danny Tommo, made his plea at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on September 25, 2026. The incident occurred on Tuesday, and Thomas was arrested shortly thereafter. The charges stem from a livestreamed video that police examined.

During the court hearing, prosecutor Kevin Lucie stated that Thomas slashed an adrift boat with a knife, reportedly saying, "You are on English territory. This is England. This is not France any more." A crew member was on the boat at the time and it was heard leaking air.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram noted that the case could have been handled in the magistrates' court, but Mr. Thomas elected to have it tried at the crown court. Thomas appeared in court via videolink and was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 29 at Portsmouth Crown Court. Bail was refused. Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was present in the public gallery and later posted on social media that the decision was "outrageous" and that his legal team would prepare to fight for bail.

Hampshire police confirmed an arrest had been made after a boat with an emergency responder on board was damaged in the Channel on Tuesday. The nature of the damage and the specific context of the emergency responder's presence were not detailed.

Following news of Thomas's charges, several hundred supporters gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening. Protesters chanted "free DT" before dispersing later that evening after learning of the charges.

The video footage remains central to the prosecution's case, with police having examined the livestream. The court has not released further details regarding the specific allegations beyond the prosecutor's outline of the criminal damage charge.