Hundreds of protesters have descended on Portsmouth as a small boat containing asylum seekers docks on the south coast of England.
The boat launched earlier today, where occupants have been brought to shore to be processed, with videos on social media showing groups being taken on lifeboats to land where several coaches are parked.
Around 500 demonstrators are believed to have joined a protest in the area, with some dressed in all black – similar those who joined an anti-illegal migrant protest which blocked the Port of Dover yesterday.
Cllr George Madgwick, leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, wrote in a post on X that “over 100 migrant men” had arrived on the Portsmouth shores on Sunday.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said: “In response to a report on September 6 of a small boat heading towards the Hampshire coast, HM Coastguard sent lifeboats, a HM Coastguard helicopter, a HM Coastguard aeroplane and HM Coastguard Rescue Teams.
“Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire Police and South Central Ambulance Service were also sent.”
In a livestream from the scene, Daniel Thomas, or “Tommo” of the Patriot Platform encouraged viewers to travel to Portsmouth to join the protest.
The French Coastguard confirmed to GB News earlier today that the dinghy set off from a beach east of Cherbourg, around 200 nautical miles from the traditional launch sites around Dunkirk and Calais.
The boat launched today and has arrived in Portsmouth
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FACEBOOK/@Cllr George Madgwick
French authorities have estimated that up to 140 illegal immigrants are on board the vessel.
GB News can confirm the vessel to be among six migrant dinghies launched today, with three boats making it to UK waters by the afternoon.
In a post to X, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote: “This week Andy Burnham struck an agreement for 45 more officers on French beaches.
“Today a boat launched from Baie de Seine, 170 miles from Calais, arriving on the beaches of Hampshire for the very first time. This is a joke. Only Reform will send the boats back.”
Around 500 demonstrators are believed to have joined a protest in the area, with some dressed in all black
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PA
Meanwhile, the party’s economic spokesman Robert Jenrick posted: “The invasion comes to Portsmouth. Home of the Royal Navy. Reform will end this humiliation.”
Large crowds have blocked traffic in Fort Cumberland Road, Eastney, this evening, with photos showing police carrying riot shields forming a blockade.
Conservative MP for MP for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, posted: “Extremely concerning to see an illegal migrant crossing this far west.
“We don’t know if this migrant boat was headed for the Isle of Wight but I’ll be contacting the Home Office first thing. We need to know exactly what happened and if new routes are being used for mega-dinghies by people smugglers.”
A Home Office spokesman 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.”