Kay Burley has faced backlash after criticising Danny Tommo for carrying a knife onto a dinghy in the English Channel. The far-right activist – real name Daniel Thomas – filmed himself as he attempted to intercept a dinghy that had been carrying dozens of migrants. The 37-year-old appeared to shout “traitors” as he used a knife to slash the side of the inflatable vessel, which had been used by people smugglers to transport migrants across the Channel.

A crew member was on board at the time, believed to be taking the vessel back to France. Thomas has now been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life, according to a video posted online. Taking to social media, Burley argued that while people may oppose illegal immigration, questions remained over what was achieved by taking a knife to a dinghy while someone was still on board.

She wrote: “You can be furious about illegal migration. You can believe the small-boats crisis has been catastrophically mishandled. You can demand tougher borders.

“But what exactly is achieved by taking a knife to an inflatable dinghy in the middle of the Channel while a rescue worker is still standing on it?”

The 65-year-old added: “Hampshire Police say they are now conducting enquiries into footage relating to damage to the boat by Danny Tommo – or as his mum calls him, Daniel Thomas.”

Her post sparked widespread fury, with X users flooding the comments to voice their anger.

One furious person wrote: “Because nobody’s doing a damn thing to stop it. ‘Demands’ fall on deaf ears. Violent migrants keep pouring in day after day. And you’re worried about a ‘rescue’ worker with a life jacket and another boat right next to the dinghy?

“These boats should be slashed on shore in France but the French authorities won’t allow that to happen. It’s all a government plan against the people. So what are the people supposed to do?”

Another commented: “It’s so that the vessel can no longer be used to bring illegal migrants into Britain. If you need any more really obvious questions answered, just let me know.”

A third raged: “Oh give it a bloody rest you drama queen. It’s an empty dinghy. He had time to get off, refused to actually, and had a whole crew and boat a foot away. This is why nobody takes you lot seriously. You fabricate danger to suit your narrative and blatantly ignore it when it’s in your face and people are literally dead.”

A fourth echoed: “That ‘rescue’ worker dived on the boat in an attempt to stop it being deflated. Now why was that? They wanted to save the boat somit could be re-used. This is an operation to get people across the channel. The fact you are not reporting it that way tells a story about you.”

Another asked: “Anything to say about the actual illegal immigration or is this the only thing that bothers you?”