Ports denied request to land 120 migrants in RNLI boats

Both Portsmouth harbour and Southampton Port denied requests to allow two RNLI boats carrying 120 migrants intercepted off the Isle of Wight to land at their respective ports. When the migrants were finally landed at Eastney in Langstone Harbour on Sunday, anti-migrant protesters blocked the road leading in and out of the area. Associated British Ports (ABP), which operates Southampton Port, stated that it was not the closest port and did not have suitable reception facilities available for the migrants.

The King's Harbour Master in Portsmouth also declined a coastguard request but declined to comment on operational matters. The protest followed a similar demonstration at the Port of Dover the previous day. The Langstone Harbour Master explained that the migrants had been recovered onto two RNLI vessels in the vicinity of Nab Tower, and had traveled at a slow speed due to the overloaded status of the vessels.

The narrow peninsula at Eastney only has one road leading to and from it, making it an unsuitable location to bring the boats ashore, according to Portsmouth City Council. The situation attracted significant public interest and resulted in a stand-off that lasted into the early hours of Monday. The emergency services, including the police, Border Force, coastguard, RNLI, ambulance, and fire service, worked together to manage the situation, despite the challenges posed by the protesters.

The Home Office minister Sarah Jones stated that the department would learn any necessary lessons from the protests.