Far-right protesters descended on Portsmouth on Sunday after a small boat carrying 140 asylum seekers was intercepted off the coast. The boat's occupants were brought to shore and taken by coach to Manston, Kent, for processing. Videos on social media showed groups being transferred to lifeboats and then to waiting coaches.
Police presence and protest
Police officers were deployed near Eastney Beach, where hundreds of protesters gathered. The scene was tense, with officers forming lines to manage the crowd. The protest was livestreamed by Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, a former bodyguard of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Thomas encouraged viewers to travel to Portsmouth to join the protest.
Thomas has recently established Patriot Platform, which blocked part of the port of Dover on Saturday. He previously launched Operation Overlord, which planned to send far-right activists to France to “stop the boats”. He and his supporters filmed themselves slashing abandoned dinghies on a French beach, leading French authorities to ban him from France.
Official response
Portsmouth councillor George Madgwick, leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, wrote on X that “over 100 migrant men” had arrived on Portsmouth shores on Sunday. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “In response to a report on 6 September of a small boat heading towards the Hampshire coast, HM Coastguard sent lifeboats, an HM Coastguard helicopter, an HM Coastguard aeroplane and HM Coastguard Rescue Teams. Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire police and south central ambulance service were also sent.”
The response included a helicopter, an aeroplane, and lifeboats, marking a significant operation. It is thought to be the first time such a large boat containing asylum seekers has been brought to Portsmouth. The boat's occupants are being processed at Manston, outside Ramsgate in Kent.
Government statement
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This government is bearing down on dangerous small boat crossings and restoring control at our border. Joint efforts have seen over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented and 1,100 boats and engines seized since the election. We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020. But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches.”
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over migration, with far-right groups mobilizing in response to arrivals. The police presence remains in Portsmouth as the situation continues to develop.
