PORTSMOUTH: A group of anti-immigration protesters gathered outside a hotel in southern England after mistaking Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team for asylum seekers, following false reports that migrants had arrived at the property by coach.
Around 30 to 50 people assembled outside the Marriott Hotel in Cosham, Portsmouth, on Tuesday evening. Reports circulating locally and online claimed that a coach carrying a group of young Asian men had arrived at the hotel, prompting demonstrators to gather there. The guests were, however, members of Pakistan’s youth cricket team, currently touring England.
Reform UK councillor George Madgwick went to the hotel after being contacted by residents. He said he spoke with hotel management and the Pakistani team’s coach and was shown evidence confirming the identity of the guests. Madgwick then addressed the crowd and told them that they had mistaken the cricket squad for migrants. The protesters dispersed shortly afterwards.
Hampshire Police said officers attended after being informed that a group was gathering near the hotel. Officers spoke to those present and explained that their concerns about the coach were incorrect. Police said no offences were identified during the incident.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board to check on the welfare of the young players and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of their tour. The incident followed separate anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth connected with asylum seekers arriving on England’s south coast.