Home secretary attacks far-right activist

Shabana Mahmood called Daniel Thomas, co-founder of Patriot Platform, a far-right racist who will face the full force of the law if his organisation breaks it near asylum sites.

“Their behaviour is completely unacceptable. And where they break the law, they will face the full force of the law.”

Thomas threatens mass blockade

The activist told Tommy Robinson he could mobilise 5,000 supporters to surround the Piddington camp for days to prevent asylum seekers entering, with reinforcements from across the UK.

“How powerful would it be if 5,000 men surround the camp. We take tents. We sit there for days.”

Piddington votes to leave UK

The Oxfordshire village held a symbolic referendum where 285 residents voted against the asylum facility compared to just 26 in favour, with the parish voting to seek independence.

Thomas visits village after vote

The activist visited Piddington the day after the referendum, dressed formally and without masked supporters, meeting residents for tea and a tour of the village.

Councillor welcomes engagement

Parish councillor Joe Marshall described Thomas's visit as private and said the village had also invited Reform, Labour, Conservatives and other parties to engage with residents.

“We have also had an open invitation to Reform, Labour, Conservatives and Restore to visit.”

Mahmood reassures on facilities

The home secretary said large asylum centres with self-contained facilities actually reduce pressure on local services, citing experience at Wethersfield and Crowborough.

“putting all facilities on to one site is actually the best way to manage pressures for local communities.”

Anxiety spans urban and rural areas

Mahmood said concerns about asylum accommodation exist across all communities, including inner-city areas with houses of multiple occupation, not just rural villages.

Thomas denies racism claims

In an interview with Tommy Robinson, Thomas said racism is unacceptable in his organisation and claimed to have friends of other nationalities, denying he leads a white nationalist movement.

“Racism within our organisation is just not acceptable.”

Police given new powers

Mahmood summoned police chiefs and urged them to use new laws allowing blanket bans on face coverings at designated locations during anti-asylum demonstrations.

Portsmouth ban imposed

Hampshire police imposed a face-covering ban on Saturday during an anti-asylum demonstration in Portsmouth, Thomas's home town, after he urged supporters to stay away.

Thomas's criminal background

Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, is a convicted criminal and former bodyguard for Tommy Robinson who served prison time for attempted kidnapping before founding Patriot Platform.

Knife crime funding launched

Mahmood announced 26.25 million pounds for 230 areas across 27 police forces to fund patrols, CCTV and prevention programmes targeting young people at risk of knife crime.