PORTSMOUTH: An anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth, southern England, took an unexpected turn after demonstrators mistakenly believed that Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team staying at a local hotel were asylum seekers.
Around 30 to 50 people reportedly gathered outside the Marriott Hotel in Cosham on Tuesday evening following online reports claiming that a group of young Asian men had arrived at the property. The gathering came amid heightened tensions in Portsmouth over the arrival of migrants in the area.
A Reform UK councillor, George Madgwick, went to the hotel and spoke with the management and Pakistan U-19 team officials. He confirmed that the guests were members of Pakistan’s touring cricket squad and informed the protesters.
The crowd dispersed shortly afterwards, while Hampshire Police said officers attended the scene, spoke to those gathered and established that their concerns were unfounded. Police said no offences were identified.
The incident has drawn criticism over the dangers of misinformation and the targeting of people based on assumptions about their background. The England and Wales Cricket Board has also contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board and is reviewing security arrangements for the visiting team.
