Two ports deny request to land 120 migrants in RNLI boats
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Requests to accept landing of RNLI boats carrying 120 migrants intercepted off the Isle of Wight were refused by both Portsmouth harbour and Southampton Port.
(Image source: Getty Images)
By Nikki Mitchell, South of England home affairs correspondent, and Stuart Rust, South of England
Published 8 September 2026, 15:19 BST
Updated 45 minutes ago
Anti-migrant protesters blocked the road when the migrants were landed on Sunday at Eastney, in Langstone Harbour.
Associated British Ports (ABP), which operates Southampton, said it was not the closest port and did not have suitable reception facilities available.
The BBC understands the King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth also declined a coastguard request, but would not comment directly on operational matters.
The protest followed a separate demonstration at the Port of Dover on the previous day.
(Image caption: The Langstone Harbour Master said the migrants were "recovered" onto two RNLI vessels near the Nab Tower)
An RNLI spokesperson expressed disappointment with the nature of communication with their crews, who volunteer to save lives at sea.
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