UK government denounces masked anti-immigration protest that halted traffic at Dover port

Hundreds of masked anti-immigration protesters blocked the main roads leading to the Port of Dover on Saturday, stopping all vehicle traffic and creating a four-mile jam. Police engaged with the demonstrators, and the Port of Dover reported that traffic was halted due to a public-order incident.

The government described the action as exceeding the bounds of peaceful protest. A Labour Party statement said the right to peaceful protest is fundamental, but the behavior in Dover and the resulting travel disruption were condemned.

"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," said Conservative local councillor Chris Vinson.

Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, posted on X that “patriots have mobilised to close down the port.” The protest was described by officials as illegal-migration-related.

P&O Ferries announced that access to the port had been restored by midday and that passengers who missed their ferry would be rebooked on the next available crossing. The port handles millions of passengers and freight vehicles each year, and the incident added to a series of similar demonstrations targeting migrants crossing the Channel.

Labour MP Mike Tapp criticised the protesters on social media, calling them “idiots” and urging them to leave the town.