Key facts
- Daniel Thomas, an anti-migrant activist, pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and failing to disclose his phone's PIN.
- Thomas allegedly slashed an adrift boat in the Channel with a knife, stating, "You are on English territory. This is England. This is not France any more."
- A crew member was reportedly on the boat when it was heard leaking air.
- Thomas was remanded in custody until his next court appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 29.
- Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was present in the public gallery during the hearing.
Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and failing to disclose the PIN to his phone. The charges stem from a livestreamed video that appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy in the Channel with a knife.
During a hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, Thomas, 37, who is known to supporters as Danny Tommo, appeared via videolink and denied both charges. The court heard that a crew member was on the boat while it was heard leaking air. Prosecutor Kevin Lucie stated that Thomas slashed the boat, saying, "You are on English territory. This is England. This is not France any more."