Police arrest far-right activist Daniel Thomas after dinghy slashed in Channel

Thirty-seven-year-old in custody on suspicion of crimes including criminal damage with intent to endanger life

Daniel Thomas, the far-right agitator and anti-migrant activist, has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life, two days after he filmed himself slashing the side of a dinghy in the middle of the Channel while a rescuer was on board.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary issued a statement saying a 37-year-old man, of no fixed abode, had been arrested on Wednesday night “on suspicion of destroying ships or fixed platforms or endangering their safety under section 11 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990”.