Motorists left in fear after masked protesters storm Dover

Motorists left in fear after masked protesters storm Dover Protesters began arriving in the Kent town at 7am with traffic blocked and ferries delayed Motorists told how they were left in fear as a mob of masked protesters stormed Britain’s cross channel port today. Around 300 men, dressed head-to-toe in black, blocked a key road to the Dover crossing while chanting “stop the boats” and “whose streets? our streets”. It is believed the balaclava-clad horde was orchestrated by Patriotic Platform, a far-right group founded by convicted criminal and xenophobe YouTuber Danny Tommo. Ferry passenger Toby Mackenzie was petrified when his car was surrounded. He wrote online: “Pretty much left me fearing for my life. Happy that I didn’t drive through them to protect myself. Generally fearing for my life.” P&O Ferries were delayed for up to an hour, with passengers who missed their sailing offered alternative slots. Traffic on the A20 was stuck in four mile tailbacks, causing delays of at least 45 minutes to reach the port. Frustrated travellers slammed the demo. One wrote online: “Was stuck on a boat in Dunkirk for over an hour and a half, which also means I will miss my hospital appointment for a potential life-threatening illness this afternoon. Stop the boats? Wrong ones!” Lania Tkaczyk, who was staying at the town’s Premier Inn, said: “We were stranded this morning and have only just been able to leave. It was quite intimidating seeing the men head-to-toe in black.” Kent Police later revealed no arrests had been made in the “spontaneous protest”. Appearing to take credit for the action, Tommo, a friend of far-right activist Tommy Robinson – real-name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – shared footage and posted: “It’s time! Protect our country! And more importantly our women and children! This is our warning!” He previously said his aim is to create “a patriotic army that is able to take control of the United Kingdom”. Robinson also posted: “Simultaneously at different locations acrossDover patriots have mobilised to close down the port.” Nick Lowles of anti-racism charity HOPE not hate said: “Since the riots of 2024, Tommo has repeatedly spoken about the need to take to the streets and take direct action. “Despite warnings from HOPE not hate, the authorities have failed to act – they’ve allowed him to agitate, organise and mobilise large groups around the country. Today is clearly the consequence of the inaction from the police and we fear that without decisive action things will only get worse from here.” Protesters began arriving in the Kent town at 7am. Traffic coming in and out of the port was blocked. By lunchtime, police had moved the crowd away from the port area and guided them toward the Dover Priory railway station. Some locals leaning out of flats waved and applauded as they marched past. Labour MP for Dover and Deal Mike Tapp, a former soldier, said: “I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. Go home. Enjoy your weekend, get a job.” In 2016 Tommo, 37, admitted attempted kidnapping and was sentenced to two years in prison after taking part in an armed attempt to abduct a man during a drugs-related dispute. And this year he became involved in direct action around Dover, targeting migrants arriving by small boats. He pleaded guilty last month to entering a restricted area of the harbour in March without lawful authority. A government spokesman commenting on yesterday’s events said: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but we condemn the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused.”