The leader of Portsmouth City Council has said the Government needs to do more to prevent Channel crossings, after clashes between police and anti-migrant protesters in the city on Sunday night.
Cllr Steve Pitt said the council had not been consulted before Border Force chose to land migrant boats in Portsmouth, calling the decision unsuitable and the resulting disruption avoidable.
He thanked emergency services for their conduct and said the Home Office had serious questions to answer over its planning.
Around 200 protesters clashed with police after roughly 120 people seeking asylum were brought ashore following a Channel crossing from Normandy.
Officers were forced to use batons and spray against far-right activists, and Hampshire Police say some officers were injured amid what the policing minister, Sarah Jones, described as ‘racism and thuggery’ from the protestors.
It follows similar disorder in Dover on Saturday, when demonstrators blocked the port for hours.
Police are investigating possible assaults and criminal damage, and officials say they may seek a ban on face coverings at future protests.
