Migrants arrive in Dover as anti-arrival protests erupt in Gosport

Summarised from 6 outlets · 14 reports · Updated 24 Sept, 18:38 · Archive

A boat carrying around 50-60 migrants arrived in Dover after more than 30 hours at sea.

A small boat carrying 51 to 60 migrants reached Dover early on Wednesday after spending 33 to 36 hours at sea in what the French coastguard described as 'precarious conditions'. Hundreds of anti-migrant protesters had gathered at a marina in Gosport, Hampshire, on Tuesday evening after reports the boat would be brought there, but the migrants were taken to Dover instead. Six people were arrested during the protests, and three have been charged with assaulting an emergency worker. The demonstration was organised following calls from far-right activist Daniel Thomas.

How it is being reported

• Illegal migrant dies in the Channel while trying to cross into Britain after scuffle erupts on board small boatAn illegal migrant has died in the Channel while trying to cross into Britain after a scuffle erupted on board a small boat. Around 70 people were on the beach at Camiers as French authorities descended on the scene. They were called out over reports of a migrant vessel "in distress". MORE TO FOLLOW... TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Our Standards: The GB News Editorial CharterGB News · 24 Sept, 16:17
• 'It's disgraceful!' Suella Braverman blasts 'undetected' small boat crossings as Gosport locals fear more illegal arrivalsSuella Braverman has hit out at the "disgraceful" small boat crossings this week as she warned that Hampshire will see "even more" undetected illegal arrivals. Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK Education Spokesman argued that there is a "clear answer" to solving the country's illegal migration crisis. On Tuesday night, hundreds of anti-migrant protesters clashed with police in Gosport as fury broke out over an apparent "escort of invading migrants" from an incoming small boat. Another illegal migrant crossing took place at Samphire Hoe near Dover on Tuesday, following an initial undetected…GB News · 24 Sept, 14:54
• More than 780 illegal migrants arrive in UK in Andy Burnham's worst day for Channel crossingsOver 780 illegal migrants have arrived in the UK in a record-breaking day for English Channel crossings. A total of 781 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the waterway. The cumulative number of arrivals by small boats in 2026 now stands at 18,565, according to provisional figures from the Home Office. This is down 42 per cent on the equivalent point last year, when the total stood at 32,188. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say More to follow... Our Standards: The GB News Editorial CharterGB News · 24 Sept, 12:29
• Three charged with assault after anti-migration protests in HampshireHundreds gathered on Tuesday night in anticipation of a small boat arriving in Gosport Three people have been charged in connection with anti-migrant protests which drew hundreds of demonstrators to a marina in Hampshire on Tuesday night. Six people were arrested by police, as anti-migrant activists who mistakenly believed a small boat was due to arrive at Gosport gathered in an attempt to disrupt the arrival of any asylum seekers. Continue reading...The Guardian · 23 Sept, 22:07
• ‘It sent a message’: anti-migrant feeling pervades Hampshire town where hundreds protestedFar-right posters go up around Gosport, but some residents say there’s ‘another side’ to life in the town Alan Dale was in two minds as he gazed across at Portsmouth harbour in the late September sunshine and reflected on the latest show of force by far-right activists on the south coast against a supposed disembarkation of asylum seekers. A stone’s throw away, masked followers of the anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas had been cheered on Tuesday night by hundreds, many of them local, who had gathered after social media rumours that authorities planned to land the migrants in the Hampshire…The Guardian · 23 Sept, 19:27
• Reform UK outlines simple answer to migrant 'trickery' after protests erupt on south coastReform UK has outlined a simple answer to the migrant 'trickery' on the south coast, after protests erupted in Gosport between anti-migration protesters and police "escorting invading migrants". 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…GB News · 23 Sept, 18:36
• Six arrested after anti-migrant protest at marina in HampshireHundreds of protesters turned out at Gosport thinking that asylum seekers were arriving there Six people have been arrested after anti-migrant protesters gathered at a marina in Hampshire in the mistaken belief that a small boat was due to arrive. Heeding calls from the far-right campaigner Daniel Thomas, hundreds of protesters gathered early on Tuesday evening at Gosport in Hampshire, aiming to disrupt any disembarkation of asylum seekers. The Border Force vessels carrying them landed instead in Dover early on Wednesday. Continue reading...The Guardian · 23 Sept, 15:55
• Three people charged with assaulting emergency worker after migrant boat protestThree people have been charged with assaulting an emergency worker following protests in Gosport as a boat carrying migrants was rescued at sea.Sky News · 23 Sept, 15:01
• Gosport councillor blasts 'unacceptable' small boat crossings after furious protest over mega-dinghyA Gosport councillor has hit out at the "unacceptable" small boat crossings along Britain's coastline following mass protest in the town on Tuesday. Speaking to GB News, Reform UK councillor Paul Carter expressed concern for small boats arriving "on the doorstep" of locals after reports of a mega-dinghy headed towards the marina. On Tuesday night, hundreds of anti-migrant protesters clashed with police in Gosport as fury broke out over an apparent "escort of invading migrants" from an incoming small boat. Demonstrators assembled outside Haslar Marina in the town ahead of the impending…GB News · 23 Sept, 11:41
• Dozens of migrants taken to Dover after more than 30 hours at seaProtesters had earlier gathered in Gosport after an initial report that the small boat would be brought further west.BBC News · 23 Sept, 04:37
• Six arrested after 'hostile' protesters clash with riot police over small boat arrival in GosportThe French coastguard reported that around 60 migrants on a small boat endured more than 33 hours at sea 'in precarious conditions' while attempting to cross the English ChannelThe Mirror · 23 Sept, 00:40
• Hundreds of anti-migration protesters face police in Gosport amid fury over 'police escorts to invading men'Hundreds of anti-migration protesters faced off against police in Gosport last night as fury broke out over police "escorting invading migrants". Six demonstrators were arrested after "becoming hostile towards officers", the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said. 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…GB News · 23 Sept, 00:29
• Hundreds of anti-migrant protesters gather in Gosport believing small boat was due to disembark thereAnti-migrant protesters had gathered near the marina in the Hampshire town on Tuesday evening following the initial reports that the migrants were on routeThe Independent · 22 Sept, 22:54
• Six arrested at protest as migrants 'at sea for 36 hours' arrive in DoverA migrant boat with 51 people on board has arrived in Dover after spending 36 hours at sea.Sky News · 22 Sept, 06:11

In this story: Dover · Gosport · Hampshire · Daniel Thomas · French coastguard · Border Force

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