Far-right protesters descend on Portsmouth after small boat arrival

Influencer livestreams event calling for men to travel to port to block coaches carrying asylum seekers from leaving

Far-right activists have descended on Portsmouth, where a small boat with 140 asylum seekers on board was intercepted heading towards the Portsmouth coast. It sparked a major response with a helicopter, an aeroplane and lifeboats sent to the scene. It is thought to be the first time such a large boat containing asylum seekers has been brought to Portsmouth.

The boat’s occupants have been brought to shore in the maritime city and are being taken by coach to Manston, outside Ramsgate in Kent where small boat arrivals are processed.