Dover protest live updates: Masked men spark traffic chaos as they block road into Port of Dover

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.”

Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised the masked men and said he was in contact with the police.

Writing on Facebook, he said: “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 per cent and we are working hard to fix the mess.

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

The Port of Dover confirmed in a statement on X that the disruption is affecting “all routes” in and out, as well as around the town.

It said: “The Port of Dover can confirm that there is an ongoing public order incident happening around the town of Dover.

“This is affecting all routes in and out the port and the town. We are in contact with Kent Police to understand the situation.

“This situation is impacting our local community and our customers, so of course we are hoping for a swift resolution.”