Far-right campaigner Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, has been arrested after footage showed him slashing the side of an inflatable boat in the English Channel while a rescue worker remained aboard.
The 37-year-old, who also goes by Danny Tommo, shared video footage on YouTube which appeared to capture his arrest, with an officer informing him he was being held on suspicion of criminal damage "recklessly endangering someone's life".
Footage shows slashing and arrest
In previous YouTube footage, he seemed to yell "traitors" and use a blade to slice the side of the craft that had been used by people smugglers to ferry migrants across the Channel. He was filmed repeatedly slashing and stabbing the small boat after a rescue team member had climbed aboard to seemingly return the boat to France.
Mr Thomas appears to have also filmed his own arrest following the incident in a video streamed on his channel last night. The footage shows Mr Thomas getting out of a car which looked to be blocked in by other vehicles at a petrol station. He can be heard asking police if he can use his phone to speak to his children.
Police statement on charges
One officer is recorded saying: "The information that I've been given... is that you've been involved in criminal damage recklessly endangering someone's life." Mr Thomas then repeatedly said: "I understand."
A Hampshire Police statement said: "A man has been arrested after a boat that had an emergency responder on board, was damaged in the English Channel.
"We received a report of the incident on Tuesday evening.
"Last night, a 37-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of destroying ships or fixed platforms or endangering their safety under Section 11 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, criminal damage, criminal damage with intent to endanger life, and conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals under Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
"He remains in custody at this time."
