The British government strongly criticized the intimidating and aggressive actions of anti-immigrant protesters who gathered at a southern English port where migrants were brought ashore following their journey across the English Channel.
In Portsmouth, hundreds of protesters, many in dark attire and masks, confronted police late Sunday to hinder lifeboats from landing the migrants. They also attempted to obstruct buses transporting the newcomers to an asylum seeker processing facility.
While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, the government emphasized the importance of maintaining order and preventing disruptive behavior during demonstrations.
The Portsmouth incident occurred after masked anti-immigration demonstrators, believed to be led by Daniel Thomas, an associate of far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (known as Tommy Robinson), disrupted traffic and access to Britain’s main ferry port in Dover the day before.
The ongoing issue of migrants crossing the English Channel has been a challenge for successive U.K. governments, with over 40,000 people making the perilous journey last year. Politicians like Nigel Farage from the Reform UK party have highlighted this as a crisis and a focal point for anti-immigration activists.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration credited enhanced law enforcement collaboration between the U.K. and France for reducing this year’s crossings by over 40% compared to 2025.
The vessel carrying approximately 140 individuals to Portsmouth departed from Normandy, significantly west of the usual departure points near Calais, France, making it a longer and more hazardous voyage. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency coordinated a rescue operation involving lifeboats, a coast guard helicopter, and a plane to bring the migrants safely ashore.