A Reform councillor has been accused of "whipping up racism" after posting footage of protestors hurling foul-mouthed abuse at migrants on RNLI boats. Cllr George Madgwick, the leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, published a string of photos and videos as 149 migrants were picked up on Sunday in a mid-Channel rescue operation. The RNLI, alongside a French vessel, brought them ashore at Gosport, Hamps.
Expletive-laden footage posted online
Flares were set off and there were scuffles with police during a stand-off involving about 150 anti-migrant demonstrators. In one clip posted on X, billed as "exclusive" by Cllr Madgwick, individuals hurled expletive-laden abuse towards the RNLI boats as they arrive at the marina. Chants including "f***ing traitors", "f*** off home", "send them home" and "I hope you f***ing sink" can be heard as the crews pulled into the harbour.
Despite the language, Cllr Madgwick wrote: "I can not believe the British Government have allowed a boat of illegal migrants to dock in the Home of the Royal Navy here in Portsmouth Harbour, Gosport. This makes me feel physically sick. They wonder why local people are angry. This is why. Not far right thugs. Normal local families and people horrified at what they are witnessing. When will this end?"
Backlash from anti-racism group
But last night a Stand Up to Racism spokesperson said: "An elected Reform councillor is whipping up racism towards the most vulnerable people. Gosport and areas along the South Coast have seen known fascists masking up and terrorising communities. Far-right Reform UK are egging them on. It’s disgraceful behaviour that is only going to fuel the fire of a fascist movement on our streets."
Twelve protesters were arrested during the confrontation on Sunday evening after the boats are believed to have set off from close to Utah Beach, east Cherbourg, at 6am. It is the third boat in a month to arrive in Britain after setting off from Normandy. Boats typically depart from Calais.
Protests and police response
About 300 people gathered in Gosport to protest against the migrants' arrival. Many launched flares, with footage showing protesters enveloped in smoke. Protesters attempted to set up barriers to stop the migrants leaving, but several coaches left the site escorted by police. The migrant dinghy is believed to have followed the route of two other dinghies that launched from Normandy last month.
The arrival of the first vessel, carrying 114 people, prompted protests when those on board were brought ashore in Portsmouth on September 6. A spokesman for the RNLI confirmed "two RNLI lifeboats were tasked by HM Coastguard on the central south coast of England".
A Government spokesperson said: "The Border Security Command works around the clock to protect our border. We have established contingency plans to make sure we can securely disembark, check and process all small boat arrivals. Migrants will be transported to short term holding facilities in Kent where they will be processed as normal and undergo stringent health, security and biometric checks." Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it had deployed officers to Gosport to "support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea".
Similar scenes and Channel deaths
It follows similar scenes last month when protesters gathered in the area expecting migrants to arrive on a dinghy, but they were ultimately taken to Dover by sea. Meanwhile, two men died and two women were injured in an attempt to cross the English Channel in a small boat. French authorities said the men, one in his 30s and one in his 40s, died after leaving the coast at Berck overnight on Sunday. The women were taken to hospital after suffering burns over a large part of their bodies, the authorities said.
A spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said: "An investigation has been opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. François-Xavier Lauch, Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, thanks all the services involved, particularly the firefighters, for their intervention and commitment during this operation." The Mirror approached Cllr Madgwick and Reform for comment.
