Reform councillors secure council debate over Portsmouth small boat arrivals

Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Reform councillors have declared Portsmouth is 'not suitable' for small boat arrivals while condemning recent violence against emergency services. The city's Reform councillors have secured an extraordinary meeting of Portsmouth City Council to debate the arrival of around 120 asylum seekers at Eastney. The group's 12 councillors have signed a notice requiring a meeting under the council's constitution, which allows an extraordinary meeting to be called when requested by at least 10 councillors. The motion, proposed by Cllr George Madgwick and seconded by Cllr Joe Standen, calls for the council to state that Portsmouth is not a suitable location for small boat arrivals. It follows the arrival of around 120 asylum seekers at Eastney on Sunday September 6, after they were rescued from a small boat which had crossed the Channel from Normandy. The landing was followed by a protest which saw roads blocked and clashes between demonstrators and police. The motion argues the council was not consulted about the decision to bring those rescued ashore at Eastney, despite the area being a narrow shingle spit served by a single access road and lacking reception, welfare and vehicle marshalling facilities. Reform councillors also claim Southampton and Portsmouth Harbour had been ruled out before Eastney was selected. As reported in The News the King's Harbour Master refused permission for the lifeboats to enter Portsmouth Harbour, although it acknowledges this has not been confirmed by the harbour master. The motion condemns violence and damage against emergency services, while arguing that law-abiding residents concerned about small boat arrivals should not be described as 'racists' or 'thugs'. It calls for the council to write to the Home Secretary seeking a commitment that Portsmouth will be consulted before any future disembarkation, that residential or single-access locations will not be used, and that the council's costs will be reimbursed. Reform is also seeking written assurances over the security of HMNB Portsmouth and the Dockyard Port. The group has asked for the meeting to take place no later than Monday, September 21, although it has said it is willing to accept shorter notice. When the meeting takes place, councillors of all colours will have to opportunity to debate the motion and suggest amendments.