Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Burnham Condemns Masked Portsmouth Protest Over Migrant Buses
A boat carrying 140 people was rescued near Portsmouth in southern England.
The people were migrants who were taken to Britain for processing.
About 200 masked protesters tried to stop the buses carrying them.
Police stood between the protesters and the buses.
The crowd left at about 4 a.m., and the buses continued safely.
The Home Office said people may protest peacefully but must not cause disorder.
Andy Burnham said hateful politics should not spread through communities.
Officials are also watching to see whether smugglers are using a new route.
About 200 masked demonstrators disrupted migrant disembarkation and blocked buses in Portsmouth.
Police formed a security cordon, and the migrants were transported after the crowd dispersed around 4 a.m.
The Home Office condemned the protest as intimidating and thuggish, while no arrests were reported.
The Portsmouth action followed a separate masked anti-migrant protest that blocked Dover access on Saturday.
Home Office data recorded 16,513 Channel crossings this year, about 40% below the comparable period in 2025.
- Who
- About 200 masked demonstrators, police, 140 migrants, Andy Burnham, and Home Office officials.
- What
- A protest disrupted the disembarkation and attempted transport of migrants in Portsmouth.
- When
- Sunday night into Monday morning; the crowd dispersed around 4 a.m.
- Where
- Portsmouth, Hampshire, in southern England.
- Why
- The demonstrators opposed the arrival of migrants, while officials cited concerns about disorder, policing resources, and possible new small-boat routes.
Government and Local Officials
Anti-Migrant Protest Organizers
Protest conduct
Government and Local Officials
The Home Office said peaceful protest is a democratic right but condemned the blocking of roads and buses as intimidating, thuggish disorder.
Anti-Migrant Protest Organizers
Masked demonstrators blocked access and disrupted the arrival of migrants, expressing opposition through the protest.
Portsmouth as an arrival point
Government and Local Officials
Government officials said there was no evidence that smugglers had changed strategy, while local officials said Portsmouth was not equipped to process such arrivals.
Anti-Migrant Protest Organizers
Supporters of the protest highlighted the migrant arrival farther west than usual and demanded action against possible new routes.
Response to small-boat crossings
Government and Local Officials
The Labour government said cooperation with France and tighter asylum rules were helping reduce crossings and announced additional officers for French beaches.
Anti-Migrant Protest Organizers
The protest movement continued demonstrations at Portsmouth and Dover over irregular migration and small-boat arrivals.
- Migrants rescued
- 140 people were aboard a boat rescued by Britain's coastguard.
- Protest size
- About 200 demonstrators took part in the Portsmouth protest.
- Protest organizer
- The events were organized by Patriot Platform, founded by Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo.
- Arrests
- No arrests were reported.
- Channel crossings
- Home Office data recorded 16,513 irregular migrant crossings since the start of the year.
- Year-on-year comparison
- Crossings were reported to be about 40% lower than during the comparable period in 2025.
- Additional officers
- Andy Burnham announced the deployment of 45 additional officers to French beaches.