Key facts
- Anti-immigration protesters mistakenly targeted the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team at a Portsmouth hotel.
- The demonstration was called off after it was confirmed the individuals were cricketers, not asylum seekers.
- George Madgwick, a local council leader, helped clarify the situation to the protesters.
- The incident occurred amid heightened tensions following a previous protest involving asylum seekers.
- The England and Wales Cricket Board is reviewing security for the Pakistan U19 squad.
Anti-immigration protesters in Portsmouth, UK, mistakenly gathered outside a hotel believing asylum seekers were staying there, only to discover the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team. The demonstration was quickly dispersed once the error was clarified.
Tensions were already high in the city following a large protest on Sunday where a group attempted to block streets after a dinghy carrying an estimated 140 asylum seekers arrived.
George Madgwick, leader of the Reform UK group on Hampshire county council, was called to the Marriott Hotel. He stated that after speaking with the hotel manager and the team's coach, he confirmed the presence of the Pakistani cricket team. He then informed the gathering crowd of 40-50 people, who he said "respectfully accepted that" and left within five minutes.
Madgwick expressed his satisfaction in helping de-escalate the situation but suggested that the government needed to understand the reasons behind such protests, attributing them to local residents wanting to protect their city.
A spokesperson for Stand Up to Racism criticized the incident, calling it "racism in action" and dangerous for allowing racists to mobilize based on suspicion of non-white individuals.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has been in contact with the Pakistan Cricket Board to ensure the wellbeing of the team and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of their tour. The Pakistan U19 team is currently in the UK for a series against England U19, with upcoming one-day matches scheduled.
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