Minister condemns disorder at Portsmouth anti-migrant protest after police officers hurt

Police are seeking to identify protesters after several officers were injured and vehicles damaged in Portsmouth during a demonstration sparked by the arrival of 120 migrants in a single dinghy. Policing Minister Sarah Jones told the House of Commons that the disturbance on Sunday night was "intimidating and thuggish" and warned that "those who cross into illegality" would "face the full force of the law". The protest followed a large group of masked men demonstrating against small‑boat crossings at the Port of Dover on Saturday, which caused major disruption. Portsmouth City Council said the Home Office had "serious questions to answer" regarding the decision to bring the migrants, who had crossed the English Channel from France, to be housed in the area. Councillor Steve Pitt added that the decision had caused "needless disruption". Around 200 people, some wearing masks, confronted police in riot gear after they descended on the Eastney Landing ferry terminal, where the migrants were landed. Police protected a number of coaches parked on a road leading away from Eastney Marina as demonstrators blocked traffic. A dispersal order was put in place, meaning anyone failing to comply with police could be arrested. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said a handful of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, none of which were serious. The force stated: "Violence and criminal damage have no place in peaceful protest." It added: "No arrests have been made at this time, however an investigation to identify offenders responsible for any assaults on officers, criminal damage to vehicles or other criminal offences has been launched." Spencer Wragg, chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said: "I've seen footage of officers being pushed off their motorbikes, I've seen pictures of police vehicles damaged. It appears that the police last night became the target for some of the protest." Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo – an associate of far‑right activist Tommy Robinson – was livestreaming from the scene, where he urged his supporters to "get down to Eastney" and stop the migrants being transported. The coaches carrying