Policing minister Sarah Jones says ‘no excuse' for protest disruption but admits large boat crossings ‘clear cause for concern'

The government's policing minister insists there can be 'no excuse' for threatening behaviour or serious disruption after illegal immigration protests at the weekend. Speaking in the Commons this evening, Labour's Sarah Jones said about 150 people descended upon the Port of Dover from 7.30am on Saturday. Videos showed demonstrators marching through the town and chanting 'Whose streets? Our streets' and 'Stop the boats' as dozens of police officers followed. No arrests were made following the protest, which is understood to have been organised by anti-migrant group, Patriot Platform. Although the port and traffic around the town returned to normal in the hours which followed, the group blocked roads and caused long traffic jams which led to several ferry companies having to cease services. Mrs Jones maintains peaceful protest is a 'fundamental part of democracy' and must be defended, but insists those who 'cross the line from peaceful protest to illegality' will face the 'full force of the law.' She has also condemned what she describes as 'intimidating and thuggish behaviour.' 'While we must protect our ancient right to free speech, what we will never tolerate is the disruption of people's daily lives or the intimidation of our communities,' the MP for Croydon West told Parliament. She admits the use of large boats with more than 100 people crammed on board is a 'clear cause for concern', adding the gangs transporting migrants are 'never going to go quietly.' Mrs Jones has assured the country the government is 'responding to the impact our work is having and we will adapt in turn' with French border officials. The minister, who insists the government's priority will 'always be the safety of British people', says she has spoken to policing partners today to ensure information is shared 'at pace' across the law enforcement system in the future. Kent Police chiefs say they have not spoken with the organisers of Saturday's protest, with ACC Nigel Brookes encouraging them to get in touch with the force. He says police had no intelligence to suggest the 'spontaneous' protest would take place. Mrs Jones though has said it was in fact planned and involved people 'from outside the area coming in and causing chaos.' She also blamed the previous Tory government for today's protests. 'Let us never forget that the frustration we see in our communities today is a product of chaos and crisis in the years that preceded the general election of 2024,' she said. 'Since then, this government has taken action to fix the broken system we inherited and bear down on the people smugglers.'