Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has issued a stern warning to anti-migrant activists, explicitly threatening to deploy the “full force of the law” if their actions escalate into criminality near a planned asylum seeker accommodation in Oxfordshire.

The controversy centers on the small village of Piddington, which has a population of roughly 350. The village has become the focal point of national debate following the government’s plan to house an estimated 1,256 male asylum seekers—a figure some commentators claim could rise further—at a nearby Ministry of Defence site.

In protest of the demographic shift, Piddington residents recently held a symbolic referendum, voting overwhelmingly to “leave” the United Kingdom.

The situation drew the attention of Danny Tommo, co-founder of the activist group Patriot Platform. Tommo visited the community and the MOD site, suggesting he could organize thousands of supporters to travel to Piddington to physically block the arrival of the migrants.

Speaking to the Guardian, Home Secretary Mahmood forcefully condemned the involvement of Tommo and his organization. She branded the 37-year-old activist as “far-right” and an “outright racist,” drawing a sharp distinction between the concerns of the local community and the motivations of outside groups.

“I understand the anxiety of local people when they’re about to see change to their community,” Mahmood stated. “But it’s important to distinguish that anxiety, where reasonable people can have a conversation, and the far-right and outright racists like Danny Tommo walking into town, hijacking an issue, and then using that to divide our communities.”

She further warned, “Their behavior is completely unacceptable, and where they break the law, they will face the full force of the law.”

The Home Secretary also attempted to alleviate local concerns regarding the strain on village infrastructure, claiming that the migrants will be housed in self-contained facilities at the asylum center and will not pressure local resources.

Tommo has publicly rejected the Home Secretary’s characterization of his group. In a recent interview, he defended his actions and denied allegations of racial prejudice. “Racism within our organization is just not acceptable. That is the stance that we have. We are not a white nationalist movement,” Tommo stated, adding that he had been invited by a local parish councilor for a tour of the village to discuss community concerns.

The escalating rhetoric from both the government and activist groups highlights the volatile political atmosphere surrounding the Piddington site. The Home Office has not yet announced a specific timeline for when the migrants will be moved into the facility, nor what specific security measures will be implemented to handle potential large-scale protests.