Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has issued a warning to anti-migration activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, amid plans for protests against proposed asylum accommodation near an Oxfordshire village.
Mahmood said Thomas and members of the Patriot Platform would face the “full force of the law” if criminal offences were committed during action surrounding the proposed facility near Piddington.
The Home Office announced in June that it wanted to use part of the former Bicester Garrison, between Piddington and Upper Arncott, to accommodate people seeking asylum as an alternative to hotels. The proposal remains subject to the government’s Urgent Crown Development process.
Thomas has spoken publicly about mobilising thousands of supporters to travel to the area and attempt to prevent asylum seekers from entering the site.
He was quoted as proposing that thousands of men surround the site, take tents and remain there for days while supporters from other parts of the UK reinforced the action.
Mahmood distinguishes residents’ concerns from protest group
Speaking to The Guardian, Mahmood said she understood anxiety among residents about changes proposed for their community, but distinguished those concerns and the activities of Thomas and his supporters.
Mahmood described Thomas as “far-right” and an “outright racist”, saying: “Their behaviour is completely unacceptable. And where they break the law, they will face the full force of the law.” Those descriptions are the Home Secretary’s characterisation of Thomas. Thomas rejects accusations that his organisation is racist.
He has said: “Racism within our organisation is just not acceptable. That is the stance we have. We are not a white nationalist movement.”
The warning comes days after Mahmood urged senior police officers to make full use of existing powers when dealing with anti-migration protests following disruption in Dover and Portsmouth.
Police were specifically urged to consider powers relating to face coverings, while forces were also expected to strengthen intelligence gathering and operational planning around future demonstrations.
Piddington residents oppose asylum plans
The proposed asylum facility has already generated significant opposition locally.
Residents held a symbolic ballot this week in which 285 voted in favour of seeking self-determination, with 26 voting against. The vote has no legal force but was staged as part of the community’s opposition to the asylum accommodation proposal. (The Guardian)
Cherwell District Council has also formally objected to the government proposal. The council says it was not consulted before the plans were announced in June and submitted its formal consultation response opposing the development on September 17. The government originally said the Bicester site was one of three proposed centres intended to accommodate a combined 3,700 people as part of plans to reduce the use of asylum hotels.
The final decision on the Piddington-area site rests with the government rather than Cherwell District Council.
