UK government condemns anti-immigrant protests over Channel crossings
The UK government has condemned anti-immigrant protesters for their disruptive and intimidating behavior at ports in Portsmouth and Dover. These demonstrations targeted migrants arriving via small boats, leading to clashes with police and significant traffic disruptions.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing political tension in the UK regarding immigration policy and the challenges the government faces in managing asylum seeker arrivals.
The British government on Monday (September 7, 2026) condemned the "intimidating and thuggish behaviour" of anti-immigrant demonstrators who converged on a port in southern England where migrants were brought ashore after crossing the English Channel.
Hundreds of protesters, many dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks, faced off with police in Portsmouth late Sunday (September 6) in an attempt to prevent lifeboats from bringing the migrants to land.
They then tried to block buses carrying the new arrivals to a processing facility for asylum seekers.
"The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but it must never cross a line into disorder," the government said in a statement.
The Portsmouth protest came a day after hundreds of masked anti-immigration protesters blocked roads leading to Britain's busiest ferry port of Dover on Saturday (September 5), clogging traffic and disrupting travellers as well as cargo vehicles heading for France.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in