UK police arrest far-right activist over alleged boat damage
British police have arrested Daniel Thomas, a far-right activist known for protests against migrant crossings, over an allegation that he slashed an inflatable boat in the English Channel. The arrest follows a social-media video that appears to show him using a knife.
A far-right activist who has led protests against migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats has been arrested over the alleged slashing of a dinghy, police said Thursday, according to the South China Morning Post. The activist was identified as Daniel Thomas, 37. A video posted on social media on Tuesday appears to show Thomas using a knife on an inflatable boat, the report said.
The incident comes as opponents of immigration have adopted a more confrontational approach to boats carrying migrants to England. The supplied material says such activists have sought to prevent boats from landing and have clashed with police and rescuers. Police confirmed the arrest but the source does not provide the force involved, the location of the arrest or the offence under which Thomas was detained.
It also does not say whether anyone was injured or whether the boat was carrying migrants at the time. The report describes the alleged action as part of a developing tactic aimed at stopping migrant boats from reaching England’s shores. The available information does not establish whether Thomas has been charged or indicate when he may appear in court.
The video’s contents are described as appearing to show the alleged act; the supplied material does not provide an independent account of what occurred. Police said the arrest followed the incident.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.