An MP has condemned masked demonstrators who brought the Port of Dover to a standstill, telling them to "get a job" in a scathing social media post. Mike Tapp, Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised the protesters who blocked roads including the A20, with one driver saying they "feared for their life".
MP's social media post
In a Facebook post, Mr Tapp wrote: "Park run cancelled and port access disrupted. I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. I bet if you asked any one of those 'protesters' they wouldn't know small boat crossing are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess."
He added: "Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job." Mr Tapp also said he had been in touch with the police.
Local reaction and police response
Councillor Chris Vinson, the leader of the Conservative opposition at Dover District Council, said that, while he was not aware of any violence, "having the path of your vehicle blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and balaclavas is extremely intimidating, especially when it's not clear why they're there".
Kent Police officers confirmed in a post on X in the early hours that they were "engaging" with protesters at the Port of Dover. The force stated: "We are aware of a protest currently taking place at the Port of Dover. Officers are in attendance and engaging with protesters."
Crossing numbers and protest motive
The number of vessels crossing the English Channel has dropped compared to previous years. However, recent reports indicate that smuggling gangs behind the crossings have begun loading more people onto fewer, larger boats. A total of 7,371 people crossed the Channel over the summer months, according to Home Office data, lower than any year since 2020, when 3,307 made the crossing between June and August.
The motive behind the masked protesters who are dressed in black taking to the streets remained unclear initially, with the demonstrators apparently not carrying any banners or placards as they occupied the middle of roads near the port. Mr Tapp's message indicated the protest is connected to illegal immigration, as did Reform UK councillor Paul King, who wrote on Facebook that the demonstration was "not the way to stop the boats".
