The British government strongly criticized the intimidating and aggressive actions of anti-immigrant protestors who gathered at a port in southern England where migrants were landed after crossing the English Channel.
A large group of protestors, many clad in dark attire and masks, confronted police in Portsmouth late on Sunday in an effort to impede lifeboats from bringing the migrants ashore. Subsequently, they attempted to block buses transporting the newcomers to a reception center for asylum seekers.
In response, the government emphasized the importance of peaceful protest in a democratic society but warned against actions that lead to disorder. The incident in Portsmouth followed a similar protest in Dover, where masked anti-immigration protestors disrupted traffic and obstructed travel to and from Britain’s busiest ferry port.
Both demonstrations seemed to be orchestrated by Daniel Thomas, an associate of veteran far-right campaigner Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
The issue of migrants crossing the English Channel has been a persistent challenge for successive U.K. administrations, with over 40,000 people undertaking the perilous journey last year alone. Politicians like Nigel Farage from the Reform UK party have labeled it a crisis, fueling the rhetoric of anti-immigration advocates.
The British government, under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, attributed a more than 40% decline in crossings this year compared to 2025 to enhanced law enforcement collaboration between Britain and France. The recent voyage to Portsmouth, carrying approximately 140 individuals, departed from Normandy, significantly further west than the usual departure points near Calais, France, making it a longer and riskier voyage.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency of Britain reported that lifeboats, a coast guard helicopter, and a plane were deployed to assist in bringing the migrants safely ashore.