A TOMMY Robinson associate has claimed credit for the balaclava-clad “stop the boats” protest which brought Dover to a standstill today.
Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, shared footage from the anti-illegal migrant demonstration and declared: “This is our warning.”
Masked protesters blocking traffic on Union street Credit: Stuart Brock
Protesters at Dover Priory train station after black-clad and masked anti-illegal migrant demonstrators blocked roads in Dover during a protest Credit: PA
Hundreds of protesters dressed in black and donning balaclavas blocked roads around the Port of Dover during the morning chaos.
A group marched through the town chanting “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Stop the boats” as dozens of police officers followed.
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Traffic on major routes leading to the UK’s busiest international ferry and passenger port was brought to a halt.
Holidaymakers and lorries were caught in huge queues as they struggled to reach the port.
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Danny Thomas (left) with Tommy Robinson Credit: Facebook/@mikefshaw
Kent Police said officers were scrambled following the disturbance Credit: @blonschki/X
National Highways said the A20 was closed in both directions and warned of queues stretching for around four miles because of the protest activity.
Tommo, who is an associate of Robinson, shared video appearing to show protesters marching through Dover.
He wrote: “It’s time! Protect our country! And more importantly our women and children! This is our warning!”
Another video shared by Tommo showed the words “blood is on your hands” apparently spray-painted on the ground outside Western Jet Foil.
The facility is used as a short-term holding centre for migrants arriving in the UK by small boats.
Anti-extremism campaign group Hope Not Hate has linked the demonstration to the Patriot Platform, which Tommo recently launched.
The group said the action highlighted what it described as a growing trend of “anti-migrant vigilantism”.
It accused the Patriot Platform of being a “far-right network” and claimed protesters were willing to “intimidate and inconvenience an entire town”.
Ferry passengers were caught in the chaos Credit: Youtube/ay_audits
Drivers were warned of four-mile-long queues due to ‘protest activity’ Credit: Youtube/ay_audits
Tommo has previously described the Patriot Platform as “the resistance standing against the downfall of the United Kingdom”, with contingents across the country.
There is no suggestion Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, knew about the protests in advance.
Though he later shared footage and appeared to suggest it may form part of a wider co-ordinated action.
He wrote on X: “Simultaneously at different locations across Dover patriots have mobilised to close down the port.”
Robinson later described the action as a “warning shot to the establishment” and wrote that “DT has smashed it”.
Tommo and Robinson have frequently appeared together at political rallies and events.
Tommo also attended Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally in May, later describing it as an “incredible” achievement in a video shared online.
The Dover protest prompted condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Footage shared by far right activist Daniel Thomas showed the phrase ‘blood is on your hands’ seemingly scrawled near the port Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Tommo and Robinson have frequently appeared together at political rallies and events Credit: no credit
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the scenes as “disgusting” and said protesters should not be allowed to demonstrate while wearing balaclavas.
He said: “It’s disgusting. Nobody in any political protest, on the left or right, should appear in balaclavas.
“You should not be allowed to be masked up, balaclava-ed up and go out and protest on the streets of our country.
“It is wrong at every level. So I deplore what is happening in Dover today.”
Reform colleague Robert Jenrick also described the disruption as “disgraceful”.
He said: “I’m sick of people disrupting life in this country.
“I hope the police take all the actions as necessary to get the port open as quickly as possible.
“It’s completely disgraceful that businesses and individuals are having their lives held up by those people.”
Dover and Deal MP Mike Tapp branded the protesters “idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption”.
The Government also condemned the protesters’ behaviour and the travel disruption caused.
A Government spokesperson said it condemned the protest and the disruption it had caused to people travelling through Dover.
Kent Police said the demonstration had been “spontaneous” and confirmed no arrests were made.
The force said: “Kent Police responded to a spontaneous protest in Dover during the morning of Saturday 5 September.
“No arrests were made. Traffic is flowing normally, and all involved had dispersed by midday.”
The Port of Dover later said routes into the port were “free flowing” as protesters began to leave the area.
