Masked protesters block access at Port of Dover
A group of masked protesters blocked access to the Port of Dover, causing significant travel disruption while chanting anti-migrant slogans. Police eventually cleared the area, and the incident has drawn condemnation from local officials and scrutiny regarding police response times.
Why it matters
The protest highlights ongoing tensions in the UK regarding immigration policy and the security of border infrastructure.
Figure caption, Masked men chanting 'stop the boats' protest at Port of Dover
There has been major disruption at the Port of Dover due to a large group of masked men holding a demonstration.
Hundreds of protesters, dressed in black and wearing face coverings, blocked roads and were heard chanting "stop the boats".
Traffic was stopped from going in and out of the port, with the government saying it condemned "the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused".
Kent Police, which made no arrests, described it as a "spontaneous" protest, while Mike Tapp MP said questions need to be asked around why it appeared the police "didn't know about it".
Officers moved the crowd from the port to Dover Priory railway station at about 11:30 BST and said "all involved had dispersed by 12:00".
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