Danny Tommo refused bail and held till March while five terror suspects near RAF Fairford were freed within hours

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, will be held at HMP Winchester until his trial next year after Portsmouth Crown Court rejected his second bail application. The 37-year-old founder of Patriot Platform faces a criminal damage charge stemming from the alleged slashing of a migrant dinghy in the English Channel on September 22, while an emergency responder was aboard. The ruling drew furious comparisons from right-wing commentators with the treatment of five terror suspects arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, who were released on police bail within 36 hours.

Rupert Lowe MP described the bail refusal as a 'filthy disgrace' following the Portsmouth Crown Court ruling.

Darren Grimes said authorities must 'explain' the discrepancy, cautioning that dismissing 'two-tier Britain is a myth' would not be an adequate response.

Thomas could face up to 10 years if the criminal damage to the boat is assessed at more than £5,000, though the vessel was returned to France before any such valuation could be carried out.