Article by Rebel News staff.

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Today at the Portsmouth Crown Court, Judge James Newton Price refused bail for Daniel Thomas — known publicly as Danny Tommo — following arguments from both the prosecution and defence. These are active criminal proceedings with legal reporting restrictions in place, so I'm sticking strictly to what was said in court and presenting both sides.

Thomas has pleaded not guilty to two charges.

The first is criminal damage, arising from an alleged incident on September 22 in the English Channel in which prosecutors say he slashed a migrant dinghy with a knife while an emergency responder was still on board. The second is an offence under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 — allegedly failing to disclose the PIN of his mobile phone when required to do so.

Today's hearing was about bail, not guilt or innocence.

The prosecution opposed release, pointing to Thomas' role organizing anti-immigration demonstrations, his ability to mobilize large numbers through social media, and the fact that he was already subject to bail conditions in a separate matter at the time of the alleged Channel incident. Their argument: even strict conditions wouldn't sufficiently address the risk of further offending.

The defence disagreed.

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Lawyer Simon Pento stressed that Thomas is charged with criminal damage and a phone-PIN offence, not public disorder. The defence proposed a tight package: electronic monitoring, a curfew, no protest involvement, social media restrictions, a two-mile coastline exclusion, passport surrender, and regular police reporting. 

One practical snag — the suggested reporting station is only open two days a week. The defence also noted Thomas runs a business, employs people, and supports his family, and that without bail he could wait months in custody before allegations that have not been proven are ever tested at trial.

Judge Newton Price refused bail regardless.

He stated he was setting aside the political issues and motivations entirely in making his decision, and considered Thomas' presumption of innocence and personal circumstances before deciding against release.

Thomas remains in custody, with his next appearance on November 12 by video link. A provisional trial date is set for March 1, 2027, with a custody time limit of March 25.

To be absolutely clear: Daniel Thomas has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Nothing has been proven in court and he is presumed innocent.

Outside the courthouse, I spoke with some of his supporters.

A woman told me she personally reported a white man she had stood alongside at demonstrations when she found out he was a rapist — she said she doesn't care about skin colour when it comes to protecting children. A man who came to the UK legally in 1973, worked 40 years for London Underground, and is now retired, told me he loves this country, that he objects to illegal Channel crossings, and that calling people names will not stop the movement.

Several supporters raised the prime minister's pre-trial characterization of Thomas in a BBC interview as prejudicial to a fair hearing.