Activist Daniel Thomas remanded in custody over alleged Channel boat damage
Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, was refused bail at Portsmouth Crown Court and remanded in custody. He is accused of criminal damage to a boat in the Channel; a provisional trial date is 1 March.
Updated (version 2). Rewritten with the latest reporting.
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The story, neutrally told
Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, has been remanded in custody ahead of a trial next year. Sky NewsN “has been remanded in custody ahead of his trial next year.” Read at Sky News ↗ GB NewsR “has been remanded into custody as he faces trial next year.” Read at GB News ↗ The 37-year-old appeared by video link at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday, and a provisional trial date of 1 March was set. BBC NewsN “He has been remanded in custody, with a provisional trial date set for 1 March.” Read at BBC News ↗ GB NewsR “A provisional trial date was set for March 1 next year at Tuesday’s hearing.” Read at GB News ↗ He is accused of criminal damage after a video appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy in the English Channel with a knife. BBC NewsN “accused of criminal damage after a video appeared to show him slashing at the boat with a knife.” Read at BBC News ↗
He is also charged with failing to disclose the PIN to his phone; GB News says this falls under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. GB NewsR “under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.” Read at GB News ↗ BBC NewsN “is also charged with failing to disclose the PIN to his phone.” Read at BBC News ↗ The court heard he allegedly livestreamed from the Channel at around 16:30 BST on 22 September to a large audience. BBC NewsN “livestream himself from the English Channel at around 16:30 BST on 22 September, broadcasting to a large audience, the court heard.” Read at BBC News ↗ The boat, which had been used by migrants and was adrift, is alleged to have had a rescue crew member on board when it was slashed. BBC reports he allegedly said "this is what needs to happen" and "this is England, this isn't France any more". BBC NewsN “He is also alleged to have said "this is what needs to happen" and "this is England, this isn't France any more".” Read at BBC News ↗ GB NewsR “He is accused of slashing a boat that had been used by migrants, adrift in the sea” Read at GB News ↗
He previously pleaded not guilty to both charges at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday and entered no plea at this hearing. BBC NewsN “did not enter a plea during the hearing but previously pleaded not guilty to both charges at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday.” Read at BBC News ↗ His barrister, Simon Pentol KC, had proposed a package of bail conditions and called the allegation "politically charged and fundamentally flawed". BBC NewsN “described the allegation against his client as "politically charged and fundamentally flawed".” Read at BBC News ↗ Judge James Newton-Price KC refused bail, saying he was not concerned with the political issues or motivations and put them aside. BBC NewsN “"I am not concerned with the political issues or motivations in this matter and I put them aside in deciding this matter."” Read at BBC News ↗
Thomas wore a grey T-shirt and held a Bible, and a handful of supporters waited outside court. BBC NewsN “A handful of supporters waited outside the court to hear the outcome of the hearing.” Read at BBC News ↗ GB NewsR “He wore a grey T-shirt and held a copy of the Holy Bible during today's video appearance.” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Straight court report led by the remand and bail refusal, with the defence argument and judge's response.
- Emphasis
- Procedure: plea history, bail decision, judge's quote, the alleged remarks.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Sky's short piece gives little beyond the remand and trial timing.
- Charged language
- “Anti-migrant activist”
- For example
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“Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has been refused bail during a crown court hearing over the alleged slashing of a dinghy in the English Channel.” — BBC News
“Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, has been remanded in custody ahead of his trial next year.” — Sky News
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Report of the remand foregrounding the nickname and the accusation that he damaged a migrant boat, with the emergency responder aboard.
- Emphasis
- Charges, Section 53 RIPA detail, plea of not guilty, livestream.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include the defence's 'politically charged' description or the judge's remarks in the text available.
- Charged language
- “Anti-migrant activist”“known to his supporters as Danny Tommo”
What every side reports
- Thomas, 37, known as Danny Tommo, was remanded in custody.
- He is accused of criminal damage to a boat in the English Channel.
- A provisional trial date of 1 March next year was set at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Where accounts differ
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Whether bail refusal or the charges have a political dimension
- Centre
- BBC reports the defence calling the case "politically charged and fundamentally flawed" and the judge putting political issues aside.
- Right
- GB News's available text reports the charges and hearing details without the defence or judge remarks.
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Thomas was remanded in custody with a provisional trial date of 1 March.
Reported- Reports 3
- BBC News, Sky News, GB News
Daniel Thomas person
Has pleaded not guilty to both charges; his barrister calls the allegation politically charged and flawed.
“previously pleaded not guilty to both charges at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday.” — BBC News
“"politically charged and fundamentally flawed"” — BBC News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas remanded in custody
Neutral Brief report of the remand and upcoming trial.
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Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas refused bail over alleged boat damage
Neutral Detailed court report including defence and judge quotes.
Right1 article
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GB NewsR ·
Danny Tommo remanded in custody as he faces trial accused of damaging migrant boat in the Channel
Neutral Factual report emphasising the charges and alleged livestream, using his supporters' nickname.
- 29 Sep 09:30 First Sky NewsN Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas remanded in custody
- 29 Sep 11:21 +1h 51m GB NewsR Danny Tommo remanded in custody as he faces trial accused of damaging migrant boat in the Channel
- 29 Sep 12:14 +2h 45m BBC NewsN Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas refused bail over alleged boat damage
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.