Protesters block roads in Portsmouth after rescue of 140 migrants

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Portsmouth on Sunday night after approximately 140 migrants were rescued from a single dinghy in the English Channel. The vessel, which launched from the Baie de Seine, was intercepted by lifeboats, a helicopter, and an aeroplane before the occupants were brought ashore near Eastney. This departure point is noted as unusual because it is 170 miles from Calais, where most crossings typically originate.

Demonstrators blocked roads leading away from Eastney Marina in an attempt to prevent the migrants from being transported to the Manston processing centre in Kent. Police officers carrying riot shields protected coaches intended for the transport of the arrivals. Hampshire Police issued a dispersal order and urged the public to avoid the area. A government spokesperson condemned the intimidating and thuggish behaviour of the protesters, stating that the right to peaceful protest must not cross a line into disorder.

Daniel Thomas, an associate of far right activist Tommy Robinson, livestreamed from the scene and encouraged supporters to block the roads. Some reports indicate that protesters wore masks and dressed in black, with one witness claiming that police car windscreens were smashed and a cordon was breached. This event followed a similar protest at the Port of Dover on Saturday, which caused major traffic disruptions.

Political reactions varied. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the arrival as a joke and argued that only his party will send the boats back. Conservative MP Joe Robertson expressed concern that an illegal crossing occurred so far west. Meanwhile, the Home Office stated that the government is bearing down on dangerous crossings, noting that joint efforts have prevented over 48,000 attempts since the election.