Hundreds of protesters descend on Portsmouth after migrant boat arrives

HUNDREDS of protesters have descended on Portsmouth after a mega-dinghy carrying 140 migrants arrived on UK shores. Around 500 demonstrators have gathered tonight after the boat – believed to be the longest-ever Channel crossing by people-smugglers – reached the UK from Normandy. The large boat of migrants was intercepted in the Solent between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth earlier on Sunday. Lifeboats, a helicopter and an aeroplane were scrambled as the vessel headed towards the coast. Those on board were brought ashore by lifeboat and are understood to be undergoing routine processing. Footage shared online showed groups being taken to shore, with several coaches waiting nearby. READ MORE: UK News Demonstrators rocked up in their droves last night to block the only access road to the marina in Eastney, where it is thought the migrants are being held. Police used riot shields and pepper spray to force the crowds back, but the line broke through the weight of numbers. In a livestream from the scene, Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo – an associate of the far-Right activist Tommy Robinson – encouraged viewers to travel to Portsmouth to join the protest. Some protesters were dressed entirely in black, echoing scenes at an anti-illegal migration protest which blocked Dover port on Saturday. Most read in The Sun The Government condemned the “thuggish behaviour” of anti-illegal migrant protesters in Dover and Portsmouth. A Government spokesperson said: “We condemn the intimidating and thuggish behaviour we are seeing tonight. “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but it must never cross a line into disorder. “We thank the emergency services who are working to safely manage this situation.” Reform’s Hampshire leader Cllr George Madgwick claimed “over 100 migrant men” had arrived in Portsmouth. Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “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.” Reform MP Robert Jenrick said: “The invasion comes to Portsmouth. Home of the Royal Navy. Reform will end this humiliation.” The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a report of a small boat heading towards the Hampshire coast prompted a major multi-agency response. Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire Police and South Central Ambulance Service also attended. The Home Office said more than 48,000 crossing attempts had been prevented and 1,100 boats and engines seized since the election. A spokesman added that small boat crossings were down this year, with July recording the lowest number for that month since 2020. The Government has also agreed a deal with France to put 40 per cent more officers on French beaches. The Home Office statement 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 per cent more boots on the ground on French beaches.”