Danny Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, has been identified as the organiser of an anti-migrant protest in Dover that took place this weekend. The demonstration involved men in black clothing and balaclavas blocking the town's main roads for several hours.
Thomas, who is from Hayling Island near Portsmouth, was also present at a protest in Portsmouth where a crowd attempted to block migrant coaches. Border Force's decision to bring migrants ashore at the Eastney landing stage in Portsmouth, the departure point for the Hayling Island ferry, reportedly made it easier for Thomas to mobilise local support via social media.
Thomas has a history of anti-migrant campaigning and was previously jailed in 2016 for attempting to kidnap a man. He has recently been filming himself harassing migrants in France and announced a new venture called Patriot Platform, which advocates for "mass resistance" without violence.
Kent Police described the Dover protest as "spontaneous," but have since faced questions regarding their prior knowledge of the event. The government has condemned the "intimidating and thuggish behaviour" of protesters in Portsmouth, stating that while peaceful protest is fundamental, it must not cross into disorder.