Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described anti-asylum activist Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, as “far right” and an “outright racist”, while warning that people who break the law during protests will face the “full force of the law”.
Mahmood made the comments in an interview with the Guardian as tensions continue over plans to use part of the former Bicester Garrison near Piddington, Oxfordshire, as accommodation for up to 1,256 asylum seekers.
Thomas rejects the accusation that he is racist and has said racism is not acceptable within his organisation, the Patriot Platform.
Mahmood distinguishes residents' concerns from activists
The Home Secretary said she understood anxiety among people living near proposed large asylum accommodation sites, but argued that legitimate local concerns should be distinguished from groups she accused of exploiting them.
Referring specifically to Thomas, Mahmood described “the far right and outright racists like Danny Thomas” as walking into communities, “hijacking an issue” and using it to divide people.
She added: “Their behaviour is completely unacceptable. And where they break the law, they will face the full force of the law.”
Her warning was therefore conditional on the law being broken. Mahmood did not announce any specific criminal action against Thomas in the interview.
Thomas discusses 5,000-person blockade
The comments follow statements by Thomas about mobilising supporters around the proposed asylum accommodation site.
In an interview with Tommy Robinson, Thomas discussed the possibility of 5,000 people surrounding the site, bringing tents and remaining there for days in an attempt to prevent asylum seekers entering.
Thomas has separately said that his plans would be “legal” and “lawful”.
The Guardian reported that Thomas and supporters associated with the Patriot Platform have also been involved in recent anti-asylum protests in Dover and Portsmouth.
Thomas denies being racist
Thomas disputes the characterisation used by the Home Secretary.
In an interview cited by the Guardian, he said he was not racist and said people of different nationalities were welcome within his organisation.
He said: “Racism within our organisation is just not acceptable.”
Mahmood's description of Thomas as an “outright racist” is therefore an allegation and political characterisation made by the Home Secretary which Thomas rejects, rather than a description adopted by this publication.
Piddington residents voted 285 to 26 in symbolic ballot
The dispute comes days after residents of Piddington staged a symbolic referendum in protest at the proposed asylum accommodation.
Residents voted by 285 votes to 26 to symbolically leave the United Kingdom and seek self-determination.
The ballot has no legal force but attracted national attention to opposition to the proposed development.
Thomas visited Piddington following the vote. According to reports, the visit included meetings with residents and a visit to the entrance of the proposed accommodation site.
Government application would allow up to 1,256 asylum seekers
The Government has submitted an Urgent Crown Development application for the temporary use of part of the former MOD Bicester site.
Official planning documents state that the proposed development would provide non-detained asylum accommodation for up to 1,256 people.
The application covers a proposed 10-year temporary change of use and includes accommodation, health and welfare facilities, security infrastructure, staff facilities and recreational areas.
The Home Office says former military sites form part of its effort to reduce the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.
Government guidance also makes clear that no final decision on new sites will be taken until the necessary assessments, planning permissions and approvals have been completed and considered.
Oxfordshire County Council objects to proposal
Opposition to the Bicester plan is not limited to the symbolic Piddington campaign.
Oxfordshire County Council has formally objected to the application, raising concerns about its impact on surrounding communities and criticising the way the proposal was initially communicated.
The council said local authorities received less than 24 hours' notice before the plans were announced and argued that the handling of the proposal had “undermined confidence from the outset”.
Cherwell District Council has also said it was not consulted in advance and has sought further information from the Home Office about security, community safety, policing and operation of the site.
Mahmood says concerns about asylum sites can be legitimate
While strongly criticising Thomas, Mahmood stressed that she regarded concerns expressed by residents as a separate issue.
She said she understood the anxiety people could feel when a significant change was proposed for their community and sought to reassure Piddington residents that large asylum sites could provide services within the accommodation itself.
Mahmood cited the Government's experience at other large sites and said a relatively self-contained facility could reduce pressure on surrounding communities.
The political dispute therefore involves two separate questions: opposition among local residents to the proposed Bicester asylum site, and the Home Secretary's criticism of activists seeking to organise protests around it.
Sources
- The Guardian: Shabana Mahmood interview and Daniel Thomas response
- GOV.UK: Urgent Crown Development application — MOD Bicester Site A
- Home Office: asylum accommodation at military sites
- Oxfordshire County Council: objection to Bicester military base asylum plans
- Cherwell District Council: Bicester Garrison Home Office proposals