Dozens of migrants have been taken to Dover by water after spending more than 30 hours at sea, the Conservative MP for Gosport has stated. The boat had departed from the Normandy coast on Monday morning.
The French coastguard, which had shadowed the vessel, indicated that approximately 60 migrants on board were in "precarious conditions" and declined assistance, reportedly being "determined to take all risks to reach" the UK. British rescue boats were dispatched on Tuesday to collect the migrants.
An initial report suggested the boat would be brought to Gosport, prompting hundreds of protesters and police to gather near the marina in the Hampshire town on Tuesday evening. Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, later confirmed that Border Force had intercepted the boat and was transporting those on board east to Dover.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary reported that six people were arrested in Gosport on Tuesday evening after protesters "became hostile towards officers."