Two men and a teenage boy have been arrested in Portsmouth at a far-right protest against immigration. Far-right activists have gathered in Portsmouth for a second weekend after a small boat with 140 people seeking asylum on board was intercepted last Sunday while heading towards the city. They were greeted by counter-protesters as police warned they would not tolerate incitement of fear or violence.
One of the arrested, a 76-year-old man from Southampton, was detained on suspicion of concealing his identity at the Portsmouth protest. Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary had warned that protesters wearing face coverings could be arrested under powers in the Crime and Policing Act. A 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and a 16-year-old boy, also from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last Sunday.
Donna Jones, the police and crime commisioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said that they “thankfully didn’t see repeated scenes of Sunday night with assaults on police officers and criminal damage to police vehicles and people’s property” and that “with the exception of a few people, it was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the new law calling for their faces to be uncovered”. Jones added: “The people of Portsmouth deserve to go about their business without fear and disruption. Some protesters held union flags while some wearing Portsmouth patriot branded clothing gathered outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road.
A man with a megaphone got the crowd chanting “stop the boats”. He said the protest was against “illegal men invading the shores”. In the neighbouring car park, demonstrators holding Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and Refugees Welcome banners gathered.
Signs included: “RNLI are heroes, no one is illegal” and “stop pretending your racism is patriotism”. Hundreds of people also gathered in Glasgow for an anti-immigration rally and associated counter-protest. The Pink Ladies movement organised their event at Glasgow Green, prompting opposing groups, including SUTR, to arrange a counter-protest.
The two groups were contained in separate areas on the eastern side of the park, with the People’s Palace and a heavy police presence between them. Ch Supt Stevie Dolan warned of a “strong response” if there was any violence after flashpoints at a previous protest in the same park in July. MSPs Alison Thewliss, a Scottish government minister, and Iris Duane were at the SUTR rally, with the Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary Roz Foyer.
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