Masked anti-migrant protesters blockaded the Port of Dover on Saturday, bringing Britain's busiest ferry port to a standstill in a "stop the boats" demonstration that caught police off guard. Politicians across the political spectrum, including Reform UK's Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick, condemned the disruption, while local MP Mike Tapp and councillor Chris Vinson criticised the intimidating and disruptive nature of the protest, which left roads gridlocked and hundreds of holidaymakers stranded.

Hundreds of protesters dressed in black and wearing balaclavas marched through the town chanting "Stop the boats" before linking arms to block roads, including the A20, creating four-mile tailbacks. The group is believed to be linked to Patriot Platform, founded by Danny Thomas, an associate of Tommy Robinson, who had urged supporters to attend. There were no arrests or reports of violence, and the crowd dispersed by around midday, with ferry operators P&O and DFDS rebooking affected passengers and normal port operations resuming later in the day.