Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accused anti-asylum activist Daniel Thomas of the "worst kind of hateful behaviour". Known to his followers as 'Danny Tommo', Thomas leads the Patriot Platform group, which organised hundreds of balaclava-clad supporters earlier this month in Dover and Portsmouth.
Scenes described as 'unacceptable'
Mr Burnham said the scenes in recent weeks of masked men dressed in black were "unacceptable" and "creating fear and intimidation on British streets".
He added: "This is not something we've seen in this country before. It's not something we want to see. There are real worries about immigration in all parts of the country."
"To be honest, I heard it at my own by-election in Makerfield on the doorstep, and I told people then on those doorsteps that I would take this issue seriously."
Racist views questioned
Asked if he thinks Thomas is racist, Mr Burnham told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "Well, it's hard to conclude that he's anything other than someone who has racist views.
"I hesitate always before I, you know, I've not read everything that he said, I've not followed everything that he's done. So I'm just going to say that because I don't just throw labels on people.
"But given everything and the way he's behaving and what he's seeking to whip up, I mean this is the worst kind of hateful behaviour."
Court case continues
Thomas has been accused of slashing a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board. He pleaded not guilty to criminal damage on Friday when appearing via video link at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
Thomas also denied failing to disclose the PIN to his phone to police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. He was supported by fellow far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, who sat in the court's public gallery.
A hearing is due to take place in Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday. On Thursday evening several hundred people, many wearing black, had gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke believing that Thomas was inside.
