Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has been charged with criminal damage after a video appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy in the English Channel.
The 37-year-old, known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, has also been charged with failing to disclose the PIN to his phone, Hampshire Police said.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court via videolink on Friday, the force added.
Several hundred people had gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening believing Thomas was inside.
The demonstration, which seemed to pass off peacefully, began shortly before 18:30 BST. Protesters stood on the road outside the building and could be heard chanting “free DT”.
The crowd began to disperse at about 21:45 BST after they learned of the charges against Thomas.
About The Author
