Dover port protest blocks roads as anti-immigration demonstrators halt traffic

Dozens of masked anti-immigration protesters blocked roads leading to the Port of Dover on Saturday, bringing traffic to a halt at Britain’s busiest ferry port and disrupting passengers and freight vehicles travelling to France. The UK government condemned the action, saying it had gone beyond peaceful protest.

The port said on Saturday morning that all traffic in and out had been “stopped due to an ongoing public order incident”, while police said they were “engaging with the protesters”. Access was later restored, but not before long queues built up and travel was affected.

Videos posted on social media showed several dozen men in black clothing, with their faces covered, standing across a major road near the port. One clip showed demonstrators linking arms across the road and shouting “stop the boats”. Chris Vinson, a Conservative Party local councillor, said the protest appeared to be “illegal migration-related”. “I’m not aware that there’s been any violence, although clearly, having the path of your vehicle blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and balaclavas is extremely intimidating,” he said.