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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Bryony Gooch

Lee Anderson throws ‘full support’ behind anti-migrant protesters in Dover and Portsmouth

  • Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson has offered his full support to anti-migrant protesters demonstrating in Dover and Portsmouth , urging them to remain peaceful to avoid being labelled as "far-right thugs".
  • The weekend demonstrations saw hundreds of protesters block major roads in Dover and Portsmouth after migrants were brought ashore, chanting "stop the boats" and prompting interventions from riot police.
  • Defending the demonstrators as "decent patriotic Brits who've had enough", Anderson stated it was "no wonder" people were taking to the streets to express their anger.
  • Despite backing peaceful action, Anderson stressed that Reform UK condemns attacks on police officers and advocated for a public ban on face coverings, including balaclavas and burqas.
  • The UK government strongly criticised the actions of the demonstrators over the weekend, condemning the road blockades and confrontations with riot police as "thuggish and intimidating".

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