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Dozens of masked men dressed in all black descended on the Port of Dover on Saturday morning in what police have described as a “protest.”
Port authorities said there was an “ongoing public order incident” happening across the town, which is a key passenger hub for ferry services between the UK and mainland Europe.
“This is affecting all routes in and out the port and town,” the Port of Dover said in a statement.
P&O Ferries, which operates a ferry from Dover to Calais, later said that access to the port had been “partially restored” but that its services were still running with “some delay.”
“Traffic is currently able to access the port via the M2/A2,” it added.
Video footage circulating online shows protesters – many wearing balaclavas, hoods and hats – gathering in the Kent town and chanting.
Far-right anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson shared a video of the protest on his X account, writing in the caption: “British patriots send a warning shot to the establishment in Dover this morning.”
“Patriots can organise and gather huge numbers without the need for social media. Watch this grow,” he continued, adding: “We want our country back.”
Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised those involved in another post on X, telling protesters to go home and saying he was speaking with police.
“Dover Park Run cancelled, port access disrupted, the lives of residents made more difficult,” he wrote.
“I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossing are down by 40%,” Tapp added, referring to migrant Channel crossings.
Officers from Kent police are at the scene and “engaging with protesters,” according to the force.
This is a developing story. Check back here for further details.