Police seek six men after violent disorder at Portsmouth protest over migrant arrival

Unbiased summary

Hampshire police released images of six men they want to identify following violent disorder on September 6 at Eastney Marina in Portsmouth, where around 200 people gathered after a small boat carrying asylum seekers arrived. Seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene; Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged. The force reviewed hundreds of hours of footage. Del Leon Somerville, 42, was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable. A 16-year-old boy was arrested and bailed. Additionally, Timothy Miller, 76, was charged with concealing his identity by wearing a burka at a protest, and David Kenny McNally, 33, with obstruction and attempted criminal damage. Anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters faced off in the city center on September 12, with police imposing face-covering restrictions.

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Coverage by outlet

The Guardian left

Angle Focuses on police response and the broader context of anti-immigration protest, emphasizing the disorder as a violation of peaceful protest.

Bias Emphasizes that the event was 'violent public disorder' and highlights the police statement that arrests were not possible at the time. It also notes the counter-protests and includes the fact that no officers were seriously injured. It omits the specific charges against the 76-year-old for wearing a burka, which might be seen as a civil liberties issue. The tone is factual but leans towards justifying police actions and treating the protest as illegitimate.

Police release images of six men sought after violent disorder in Portsmouth

The Independent centre-left

Angle Presents the event as an 'anti-migrant protest' and focuses on the police appeal for information, using official quotes extensively.

Bias Uses the term 'anti-migrant protest' rather than 'anti-immigration' and includes a quote from police that emphasizes officers 'did not deserve to be assaulted' and also mentions online abuse. This subtly frames the protest as hostile to migrants and highlights the victimization of police. It omits any details about the burka charge, likely to avoid distracting from the main story. The tone is professional but gives prominence to police perspective.

Police searching for six men after disorder at Portsmouth anti-migrant protest

Daily Mail right

Angle Frames the event as an 'anti-immigration protest' and focuses on the violence and police action, with a law-and-order perspective.

Bias Uses the more loaded term 'anti-immigration protest' (as opposed to 'anti-migrant' or 'asylum seeker arrival'). Emphasizes the damage to official vehicles and the injuries to officers. It includes the same facts but omits any mention of the burka charge or the 76-year-old, possibly to keep the focus on the violence. The language is more sensational ('violent anti-immigration protest') and aligns with right-wing concerns about immigration and public order.

Police release pictures of six men they want to speak to after violent anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth

GB News right

Angle Highlights a controversial charge against a 76-year-old for wearing a burka, framing it as an overreach by police or a matter of curiosity.

Bias Leads with the burka charge, which is a different event from the main disorder. This deviates from the core facts of the police appeal for six men. The article also notes the police commissioner's statement that the Saturday protest was 'largely peaceful' and compliant with face-covering rules, which downplays the earlier violence. It omits details about the six men sought and the injuries, focusing instead on the unusual charge, which may appeal to a right-leaning audience skeptical of restrictions on protest.

Man, 76, charged for wearing burka at Portsmouth anti-migrant demonstration