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Portsmouth Charges Protest Leader After Anti-Immigration Violence

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 2:17 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Portsmouth Police Release Images

Portsmouth police released images of six men involved in a violent anti-immigration protest.
Around 200 people gathered at Eastney Marina on 6 September after a small boat arrived.
Seven officers were injured and Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged, but no serious injuries.
Del Leon Somerville (42, Paulsgrove) was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a constable.

Summary

UK Government Condemns Protest

UK government denounced the protest as “intimidating and thuggish behaviour” while affirming peaceful protest rights.
Police banned face coverings for the protest after masked men blocked Dover roads the day before.
Hundreds of Stand up to Racism counter-protesters gathered with anti-migrant demonstrators on Saturday.
Riot police dispersed the crowd at 3 am after threatening arrests under a dispersal order.

History

Historical Context

On 13 August 1977 the National Front’s planned march from New Cross to Lewisham sparked clashes with about 4,000 anti-fascist protesters, prompting the Metropolitan Police to deploy roughly 5,000 officers, use riot shields for the first time on the British mainland, and make 214 arrests. The current Portsmouth anti-immigration rally echoes that 1977 confrontation, reviving debates over public-order powers and civil liberties.

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Portsmouth Police Release Images

Portsmouth police released images of six men involved in a violent anti-immigration protest.
Around 200 people gathered at Eastney Marina on 6 September after a small boat arrived.
Seven officers were injured and Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged, but no serious injuries.
Del Leon Somerville (42, Paulsgrove) was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a constable.

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