Gosport erupts as hundreds clash with police over migrant boat arrival

The protesters assembled outside a marina in the town ahead of the impending arrival of a mega-dinghy packed with illegal migrants which had spent more than 33 hours at sea.

Around 60 migrants on the small boat were "determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom", French authorities said in a statement - and they turned down assistance from the French coastguard as they sailed to Britain.

Police then closed down the Haslar Marina in Gosport and began establishing a presence to "facilitate any peaceful protest".

The migrants aboard the small boat were instead taken to Dover "by water", according to local MP Dame Caroline Dinenage.

It arrived at Dover early on Wednesday morning, while its illegal passengers could later be seen disembarking wearing orange life jackets and carrying their personal belongings.

Around a dozen protesters were spotted in the area, with local police having blocked off a nearby road.

As a result, the massive motorcade intended to pick up the small boat migrants in Gosport drove down the streets empty.

The leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, George Madgwick, described it as "a larger motorcade than what the Prime Minister or King would get".

Lines of protesters wearing black, some wearing face coverings, faced off against a police cordon after first gathering at around 6.30pm.

One protester, who travelled from Brighton, told the Southampton Daily Echo it was a "question of national identity".

"Everywhere you go the immigrants have more than we have," he said, adding that all who had assembled were "true patriots".

Protesters were heard yelling "shame on you" and "send them back". Some were also accused of chanting "let them drown".

The majority of protesters left at around 8.30pm after it became clear the migrants would not be offloaded in Gosport.

Hampshire Police said in its statement: "Following news that the vessel would be docking elsewhere in the country, police were met with a group of people who remained in Gosport, some of whom became hostile towards officers.

"As a result, six people were arrested for offences including careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker and aggravated trespass.

"They remain in custody at this time and our enquiries into these incidents continue.

"We are also aware of a video circulating online relating to damage being caused to a boat in the English Channel on the afternoon of September 22, and we are conducting inquiries into the matter.

Anti-migration activist Danny Tommo, shared a YouTube livestream of the boat from the Channel earlier on Tuesday.

Back in Gosport, Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, shared a video of the motorcade, describing it as "insane".

He said: "Burnham is sending ANOTHER police escort to take them to their taxpayer funded hotel.

"Just like they did in Portsmouth. Is there any country in history that gave police escorts to invading men?

"A country that treats invaders like Kings? While crushing dissent from its own people?"

Earlier on Tuesday, Defence Minister Luke Pollard insisted Britain’s borders were secure after a migrant boat arrived on Kent’s coast undetected - the Government was only made aware of the illegal arrival when GB News alerted authorities.

"Our borders are secure, but we want to make them stronger," Mr Pollard said, adding that the Home Office was now probing what happened.

A Government spokesman said: "The Border Security Command works around the clock to protect our border and will continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival."