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Home Office refuses to rule out Channel migrant landings in Gosport
Home Office won't stop Channel migrants from landing in Gosport despite protests.
In brief
Home Office won't stop Channel migrants from landing in Gosport despite protests. Home Office refuses to rule out letting more Channel migrants land in Gosport despite local protests. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Home Office refuses to rule out Channel migrant landings
The Home Office has refused to rule out further Channel migrant landings in Gosport or Portsmouth despite furious local protests.
Dinghies cross from Normandy
Dinghies have crossed from Normandy three times in the past six weeks, with migrants brought ashore on two occasions in Hampshire.
Hampshire Police cost £800,000
After Hampshire Police racked up an £800,000 policing bill dealing with the unrest, Gosport Borough Council passed a motion calling for the town to be excluded from any future disembarkations.
Home Office refuses to process at Gosport
A spokesman insisted there were no plans to process migrants at Fort Blockhouse, a former military site in Gosport. Instead, arrivals will be taken to the main processing centre at Manston, near Dover.
Home Office contingency plans
The Home Office has refused to rule out the possibility, raising the prospect of a fresh local backlash.
Hampshire Police Commissioner complaint
Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has complained to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood about the cost of dealing with regular anti-migrant protests.
First protest in September
Mrs Jones said she had received no response to an initial letter sent after the first incident on September 6, when hundreds of protesters blocked roads in Portsmouth.
Second protest in October
Just over two weeks later, masked protesters descended on Gosport marina after reports that migrants were due to be brought ashore there.
October 4 migrant landing
Tensions flared again on October 4 when 149 migrants were brought into the town aboard two RNLI lifeboats after a 70-mile journey from Normandy.
Hampshire Commissioner request
Mrs Jones has sought details of discussions between the Home Secretary and the French interior minister, particularly over whether additional French resources will be deployed to prevent crossings.
Tory politician's warning
The Tory politician said today: 'Gosport is not a safe location for the Home Office to land boats entering Britain illegally.'
Tory politician's safety concern
The Tory politician said: 'If the Home Office continues to use Gosport, it's putting the public and police officers' safety at risk.'
Tory politician's request
The Tory politician said: 'It needs to find a new site, or better still, ensure French authorities prevent illegal crossings in the first place.'
Several people sentenced
Several people have been sentenced for their roles in the unrest. Del Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, was sentenced to two years in prison for violent disorder.
Two suspended sentences
Deano Ryan and Justin Dixon, 22 and 50 respectively, both received suspended sentences for the same charge. Shannon Dodds, 32, and Sally Pearson, 31, were also handed suspended sentences after admitting assaults on police officers.
Haslar Immigration Centre expansion
Alongside Fort Blockhouse, Gosport is also home to Haslar Immigration Removal Centre, which is undergoing a major expansion to accommodate 600 beds.
Here's the gist
Home Office refuses to rule out letting more Channel migrants land in Gosport despite local protests.
