Del Somerville, 42, has been sentenced to two years in prison for throwing a plastic bottle and swearing at police during an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth on September 6th. The protest occurred after approximately 120 migrants were brought ashore near Eastney Beach by the RNLI following a Channel crossing. Somerville pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Portsmouth Crown Court, with Judge Daniel Sawyer stating the sentence was intended to deter others at subsequent protests, including one in Gosport.
The incident began as an initially peaceful gathering of hundreds of protesters blocking traffic. Prosecutor Edward Warren stated the protest arose from the arrival of 114 illegal migrants who had crossed the Channel from France. Somerville was identified via police body-worn video throwing a bottle towards the police line. He claimed he intended to throw it into a bush but acted in anger. Defense barrister Helen Easterbrook argued Somerville attempted to be a calming influence but acted in frustration. Four other men are awaiting sentencing for similar charges.
Volunteer RNLI crew members were subjected to online abuse following the incident. The government condemned the “thuggish behaviour” of protesters in both Portsmouth and Dover. GB News reported the protest was organised and led by Patriot Platform, and noted a subsequent protest in Gosport over police “escorting invading migrants.”
Our reading is that this incident represents an escalation of tensions surrounding migrant crossings and the response to them. The sentencing of Somerville appears intended as a strong deterrent, as explicitly stated by the judge, but is occurring alongside continued protests and even direct action against those involved in rescue operations. The differing emphasis between GB News and the BBC suggests a partisan framing of the events, with the former focusing on the protest’s organization and perceived police overreach.
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