Members of the anti-immigration group Patriot Platform are allegedly considering launching a rented vessel into the English Channel to intercept migrant dinghies making the crossing from France, in an effort to "stop the boats."
The group, known for balaclava-clad protests in Dover and Portsmouth, reportedly discussed the plan during a protest in Portsmouth last weekend, according to undercover reporting by The Sun on Sunday. The strategy could involve blocking incoming dinghies or forcing them back towards the French coast, potentially causing significant disruption in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and requiring intervention from Border Force or the French coastguard.
Early-stage idea discussed at Portsmouth protest
An insider shared: "The idea has been discussed. It's an early-stage idea, but in the eyes of the activists, physically stopping a boat when the French and Home Office can't do it would be a major moment."
"It could end in tragedy, but shows how furious these people are," the insider added.
There is no suggestion that group leader Daniel Thomas, known as "Danny Tommo," is directly involved in the Channel plot. Mr Thomas, who previously slashed and abandoned migrant dinghies on French beaches, has already been banned from entering France.
Tensions rise across UK coastline
The disclosure comes after a weekend of mounting tensions across the UK coastline. In Portsmouth, a confrontation with Hampshire Police at Eastney Docks on Sunday (September 6) held up the disembarkation of 120 migrants brought to shore by a volunteer RNLI lifeboat. Protesters subsequently followed coaches transporting the asylum seekers to Home Office facilities.
At the same time, a demonstration through Dover brought parts of the port town to a standstill, with balaclava-clad protesters shouting "Whose streets? Our streets" under heavy police surveillance.
Political condemnation
The hostile approach has triggered widespread criticism from across the political divide. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage condemned the protests, branding the scenes in Dover "disgusting" and calling on authorities to prohibit masked demonstrations.
"Nobody in any political protest, on the left or right, should appear in balaclavas," Mr Farage said. "You should not be allowed to be masked up, balaclava-ed up and go out and protest on the streets of our country. It is wrong at every level. So I deplore what is happening in Dover today."
