Key facts
- Two anti-migrant protests occurred over the weekend in Dover and Portsmouth.
- Danny Thomas, a long-term anti-migrant campaigner, organised both protests.
Recent anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth were organised by Danny Thomas, a long-term campaigner against migrants. Thomas, who has a history of activism and past legal troubles, announced a new venture called Patriot Platform and called for "mass resistance."
The organisation and actors behind recent disruptive anti-migrant protests in the UK reveal a network of individuals with a history of activism and legal entanglements, raising questions about public order and the government's response to such demonstrations.
Recent anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth were orchestrated by Danny Thomas, a campaigner with a history of activism and legal issues. Thomas, who has been filming and sharing videos of migrants on social media, announced a new venture called Patriot Platform and rallied support for "mass resistance."
The protests involved masked men blocking access to the Port of Dover on Saturday and a crowd attempting to block migrant coaches in Portsmouth on Sunday. Thomas, from Hayling Island near Portsmouth, was able to mobilise local support easily due to ferry departures, a fact attributed to potential "ignorance or incompetence" by Border Force officials.
Thomas, who identifies as a Christian and shouted "Christ is King!" alongside "Stop the boats!" at the Dover protest, previously served two years in prison for attempted kidnapping in 2016. He later became closely associated with anti-migrant activist Tommy Robinson, though their current relationship is unclear. The government has condemned the "intimidating and thuggish behaviour" of the protesters, while acknowledging the right to peaceful protest.
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