Politicians from across the political spectrum have condemned a mob of hundreds of balaclava-clad protesters who blockaded the Port of Dover, causing hours of gridlock and forcing dozens of police officers to be deployed. The demonstration, organised by the hard-Right group Patriot Platform, matters because it signals an escalation in anti-migrant activism targeting critical infrastructure, with its founder warning further disruption is planned despite pausing the action after one day rather than the three originally threatened.

Reform UK's Robert Jenrick and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds both condemned the group as "intimidating", with Jenrick backing a ban on face coverings while stressing he understood public frustration over Channel crossings. Patriot Platform, founded by hard-Right influencer Danny Tommo (Daniel Thomas), had protesters marching through Dover chanting "Stop the boats" before Thomas praised their "discipline" and declared "this is only the beginning", though he also said he was "mentally exhausted" and would pause before regrouping in a few weeks.