Anti-Migration Activist Arrested After Damaging Migrant Boat in English Channel
British activist Danny Tommo arrested for damaging migrant boat in English Channel, sparking legal and political debate.
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A British anti-mass-migration activist has been arrested after livestreaming himself damaging an inflatable boat used by migrants in the English Channel. Danny Tommo, a long-time associate of Tommy Robinson, was detained by Hampshire Police on suspicion of criminal damage and endangering maritime safety.
Incident and Livestream Details
Tommo, 37, was reportedly seen on a livestream slashing the inflatable hull of a migrant boat as it approached the UK from France. The boat, which had an emergency responder on board, was damaged in the English Channel. Tommo claimed he was preventing the boat from being reused, stating, “let’s get rid of that boat.”
During the livestream, Tommo approached the migrant boat and punctured its inflatable hull with a knife. He reportedly said, “they’re not using these boats, no more migrants in our country,” and added, “there’s no migrants on it now, it’s in English waters… you’re in English territory, this is England, this is not France any more.”
Rescue and Legal Context
Tommo’s boat, along with two others belonging to French coastguard or emergency services, reached the smuggler craft simultaneously. As Tommo damaged the boat, a French rescue worker jumped aboard and advised the migrants to abandon the sinking vessel. Tommo then livestreamed his arrest, stating he wanted to speak to his children before being taken into custody.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the British operation to bring the migrants ashore involved a Border Security Command cutter and two RNLI lifeboats operating without their transponders, a tactic previously observed from the French side. This practice, while allowed under certain international maritime conventions, has been criticized for deviating from established safety protocols in the English Channel.
Broader Implications and Recent Developments
Over 1,200 illegal migrants have crossed the English Channel since Monday, with at least two boats reportedly reaching British shores without being intercepted. Tommy Robinson, who has been arrested this week, has launched a crowd-funding campaign to support Tommo’s legal defense. Robinson also claims counter-terrorism police are investigating his views on the Russian Federation.
Source: Breitbart
