Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage tackles Andy Burnham at PMQs about Fort Blockhouse migrant landings

Gosport’s MP has told the Prime Minister that the migrant boat landings brought ashore at Fort Blockhouse were “spectacularly mishandled” - and left residents “trapped in their homes in fear”.

On September 22 a protest was held after it appeared a migrant boat was heading for Gosport. Extra police and coaches had been brought ink but eventually the migrants were taken to Dover by sea.

However on Sunday, October 4, asylum seekers from a large dinghy were brought ashore at Blockhouse. This also saw a large demonstration with police bussed in from across the country to keep order. There has since been a protest and counter-protest against migrant landings.

Yesterday at Prime Minister’s Questions Dame Caroline Dinenage asked Andy Burnham to commit to not landing any more boats at Fort Blockhouse, saying the lack of communication from government officials “bred misinformation and led to violent protests”. Dame Caroline has previously complained that she could not get an answer on October 4 from ministers to even confirm the landings were taking place.

In the Commons Dame Caroline said: “Recent small boat crossings in the direction of the Solent have been spectacularly mishandled. The government’s failure to communicate with Gosport residents bred misinformation and led to violent protests. It also sent a clear message to the gangs that this is a viable new route.

“What message does the Prime Minister have for Gosport businesses and properties that were damaged, for residents trapped in their homes in fear, for Hampshire police and for taxpayers left with a bill for over £800,000? Recent events have shown that Gosport is not a suitable place to disembark these boats. Can he reassure my constituents that it will not be used again?”

Mr Burnham replied: “The hon. Lady asks me what message I have for her constituents. The message is that we will work with their Member of Parliament to hold to account those who caused the damage to those properties and businesses, but also to provide the support they need in the situation they are in.

“I understand she is meeting the Border Security Minister later today to discuss those issues further. Because the government have been successful in stopping small boat crossings, the gangs are changing their tactics, but we will continue to chase them down. As we do, we will ensure that we learn from what happened and improve the arrangements going forward.”

The October 4 protest saw 150 disembarked and about 300 people at the protest, which lasted until after the migrants had been taken out of the area, at about 2am. Twelve people were arrested.

Each Gosport protest costs Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary about £200,000. Dame Caroline said that on October 4, 227 officers were pulled from 999 calls and that businesses closed and lost trade, the council faced extra cleaning costs, and residents suffered property damage.

After PMQs, Dame Caroline said: “People in Gosport should not be intimidated into staying in their homes because of the actions of protestors. Our police officers do a great job but it was the government that put them in this unenviable position which has additionally cost taxpayers £800,000. The Prime Minister needs to be clearer about the failures of the Government’s bungled response, and he should have set out what will happen in future.”