Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, moved his protest against illegal migrant crossings directly onto the waters of the English Channel. From a motorboat, he tracked a vessel heading toward the UK coast and broadcast his actions live online.
Footage later emerged showing Tommo using a knife to damage an inflatable dinghy after its occupants had been taken aboard by rescue services.
For his supporters, this moment became a symbol of the frustration felt by many in Britain who believe the state is failing to stop illegal crossings through the Channel.
“If the state won’t act, we’ll do it ourselves”
Tommo’s Patriot Platform is built on this very message.
He has long argued that British authorities are failing to adequately protect the border and that citizens themselves must draw attention to the issue of illegal migration.
In September, he organized protests in Dover and Portsmouth, where his supporters demanded an end to the arrival of small boats crossing the Channel.
But his latest action went even further.
This time, instead of protesting on land, he took to the open sea.
The dinghy spent over 30 hours at sea
The vessel, carrying around 60 people, departed from the French coast and spent more than 30 hours at sea.
The French coast guard stated that the passengers refused assistance and continued their journey towards the United Kingdom. Later, two RNLI boats were dispatched and British coastguards coordinated a rescue operation.
Throughout the crossing, Tommo followed the migrants on his own boat, streaming footage live online.
Then he drew a knife
The most contentious moment came after the rescue operation.
Published footage shows Tommo leaning out from his own boat and trying to slash the inflatable vessel with a knife.
According to LBC, a rescue worker may still have been on the dinghy at the time.
Tommo’s supporters describe his act as an attempt to prevent the same dinghy from being used again to transport migrants.
Critics, on the other hand, argue that private individuals should not take the role of the coastguard or interfere with rescue operations.
Danny Tommo emerges as a prominent face of anti-migration protests
Today, Tommo is among the most visible figures leading protests against illegal Channel crossings in Britain.
He is the founder of Patriot Platform and recently organized protest events in several ports across southern England.
His supporters view him as willing to do what they believe the government lacks the courage to do.
His opponents say that such actions can make the situation at sea even more complicated and put rescue operations at risk.
The dispute goes far beyond one dinghy
This entire incident reflects a much wider conflict within Britain.
By September 22, 2026, approximately 17,480 people had crossed to the UK in small boats via the Channel this year. According to official British figures, this is about a 46 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.
Despite this drop, illegal migration remains one of the country’s most divisive political issues.
And it is on these frustrations that Danny Tommo builds his platform.
To some in the public, he is a provocateur breaking the law. To his supporters, he openly expresses anger over government migration policy.
One thing is clear: his action in the English Channel has become more than just an online video. It now serves as a new symbol of the British debate over borders, migration, and the boundaries of citizen protest.
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
