Government condemns balaclava-clad protesters who blocked Port of Dover in 'stop the boats' demonstration

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Footage shared online showed the group, appearing largely to be men, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, gathered at the Kent port.

A group was later seen marching through the town and chanting “whose streets? our streets!” and “stop the boats” as dozens of police officers followed.

After hours of disruption on Saturday morning, the Port of Dover said around midday that “Port approach roads are now free flowing".

A government spokesperson condemned the actions, saying: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but we condemn the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused."

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They added: “We appreciate the frustration of those who have been impacted today.

“Access to the port is now restored and traffic is flowing. Those travelling to the port are advised to allow for extra travel time and to follow guidance from providers.

“We thank policing partners and travel providers who we continue to work with to ensure the safety of passengers and the wider community.”

On Saturday morning, Kent Police told LBC they were aware of the protest taking place around the Port of Dover, and said officers were at the scene and engaging with protesters.

According to National Highways, there were four miles of congestion and delays of 45 minutes around the port due to the crowds on the road.

Tommy Robinson shared a video on social media of the protesters, commenting: "Hundreds of British men, dressed in black with face coverings have taken to Dover to block it in protest at the invasion of our country by illegal fighting age men - men who have no right to be here."

Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised what he described as “idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption”.

In a post on social media, he said: “Park run cancelled and port access disrupted.

“I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossing are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess.

“Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job.”

Paul King, the Reform UK councillor for Dover West, said he has been told the demonstration is a “stop the boats protest”.

He wrote on Facebook: “Avoid the port area, large number of men have blocked the A20. I’ve been told it’s a stop the boats protest. Speaking to local women, they felt frightened by such a large group of men walking up the street.

“We don’t condone causing public disturbance by protest. But it’s a very good example of what is happening daily with the boats coming in.”

Councillor Chris Vinson, leader of the Conservative group and member for Walmer on Dover District Council said: “Overnight, clearly what appears to be several hundred masked men wearing black clothing and balaclavas seem to have co-ordinated and loaded into rental vans and then descended on roads leading in and out of Dover with the intent to block them, and that’s what they’ve successfully done, and it’s brought the town to a standstill.

“There are stacks of people who are stuck in their cars or in their workplaces as a result.”

Cllr Vinson said the protest appears to be “illegal migration-related”, but said that the demonstrators do not appear to have placards or banners.

He added: “I’m not aware that there’s been any violence, although clearly, having the path of your vehicle blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and balaclavas is extremely intimidating, especially when it’s not clear why they’re there and the police weren’t aware, and so haven’t been able to warn people in advance and make sure that they are made to feel safe.

“I know people who have worked night shifts in the port who are being prevented from leaving for fears for their safety.

“Women who are in cars feeling intimidated, people stuck in traffic – who obviously are without toilet facilities – queues way back on the A20 and the other approach roads into Dover.”

Dover is the UK’s busiest international ferry and passenger port, dealing with 9,128,648 passengers by road in 2025 and 2,119,030 freight vehicles, according to the port’s website.