A motorcade of police vehicles, ambulances and empty buses was seen leaving Gosport in Hampshire on the evening of September 22, after a migrant boat appeared to be headed for the seaside town. The fleet, heralded by blue flashing lights, made its way along the motorway without passengers, as the vessel was instead taken to Dover.
According to the French coastguard, around 60 migrants on a small boat spent more than 33 hours at sea “in precarious conditions” and refused help as they were “determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom”. The group was intercepted by the RNLI, as per one MP, and transported “to Dover by water”, meaning the coaches already dispatched to Hampshire were no longer needed.
Police escort criticised
In Hampshire, local Reform UK leader councillor George Madgwick captured footage of the convoy leaving Gosport empty-handed. The vision was shared by GB News' Patrick Christys, who said: "This is not the King’s motorcade. Or the Prime Minister’s. This is the police escort for a load of empty coaches that were due to collect illegal immigrants from Gosport."
Christys had earlier criticised both the British and French governments regarding Channel crossings, saying: "Absolutely insane day in the Channel - we have been treated to an absolute charade by the French and British authorities. It feels like the last week has been a big turning point in terms of what’s been happening in the Channel."
Protesters in Gosport
The failed motorcade departed the region after police arrested six people as anti-migrant protesters “became hostile" in Gosport, where hundreds of protesters gathered in the naval town. At the height of the protest, around 200 people gathered, with many donning masks in anticipation of the boat landing. Some were heard chanting "send them back" as the vessel approached.
The boat, believed to have around 60 people on board, was intercepted by the Border Force and ferried away from protesters to Dover, arriving early on Wednesday morning. Around a dozen protesters were spotted in the area, with local police having blocked off a nearby road.
MP Dame Caroline Dinenage confirmed: “This is a good result. All day I have been making the case to the Home Office that this boat should not disembark in Gosport.”
