Full Breakdown
Andy Burnburn condemns anti-migrant protests as “politics of poison”
9/8/2026, 4:28:16 AM
Core Event: Anti-migrant demonstrations in Portsmouth and Dover
- September 5 – Masked men blocked road access to the Port of Dover for several hours.
- September 6 – The coastguard rescued a boat carrying 140 people that had left Baie de Seine, Normandy. Later that night, about 200 demonstrators in Portsmouth tried to stop buses transporting migrants to a processing centre; police formed a cordon with riot shields and the crowd dispersed around 4 a.m., allowing the migrants to be moved safely.
- September 7 – Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed Labour MPs, urging the party to reject the “politics of poison” and promote “hope” in response to the unrest.
Background & Context
Small-boat crossings have risen, with tens of thousands of asylum seekers arriving annually via the Channel. The protests were organised by Patriot Platform, founded by Daniel Thomas (aka Danny Tommo) and linked to far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The Labour government has been cooperating with French authorities and tightening the asylum system, noting a recent decline in irregular crossings.
Data & Statistics
- Home Office data show 16,513 irregular migrants crossed the Channel since the start of the year, about 40 % lower than the same period last year.
- The September 6 rescue involved 140 people; an earlier arrival near the Isle of Wight brought about 120 migrants.
- More than 200 protesters attempted to block the Portsmouth buses, and dozens of officers equipped with riot shields were deployed.
Official Statements & Responses
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Labour must counter fear with positivity and warned that “politics of poison” must not seep into the streets. He announced the deployment of 45 additional officers to French beaches.
- A Home Office spokesperson condemned the “intimidating and thuggish behaviour” in Portsmouth, affirming the right to peaceful protest but drawing a line at disorder.
- Donna Jones, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said Portsmouth is not equipped to receive migrants by boat and called for securing the southern coast.
- A British government official said there is currently no evidence that smugglers have altered their crossing strategies.
- Kent Police described the Dover protest as “spontaneous,” while Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary opened investigations into potential assaults and criminal damage in Portsmouth.
Criticism & Opposition
- Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, argued that the right to protest must not be exercised violently and suggested leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and deporting illegal entrants immediately would reduce public anger.
- Mike Tapp, Labour MP for Dover and former migration minister, called the small-boat situation a “national emergency” and urged Burnham to convene a Cobra meeting for a coordinated border-control response.
- Joe Robertson, Conservative lawmaker, expressed concern about illegal crossings reaching the far-west of England.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- While a government official says there is no evidence of smugglers changing routes, the September 6 rescue of a boat that departed from Normandy suggests a possible new western crossing that has not been fully mapped.
- No public assessment has confirmed whether the protests were solely coordinated by Patriot Platform or involved broader far-right networks.
