He called for calm and denounced RNLI abuse after receiving death threats over the Marriott Hotel incident

A Reform UK leader has called for calm ahead of tomorrow’s protest and denounced hostility towards the RNLI after receiving death threats over a misguided protest outside a Portsmouth hotel.

Councillor George Madgwick, leader of the Reform group on Hampshire County Council and former leader of the Portsmouth group, said he had received multiple death threats after Tuesday’s protest. He said that he had no part in organising the protest, and only attended after being called to defuse it.

Between 30 and 40 people gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Cosham after mistaking a Pakistani cricket team for migrants.

The incident has been widely condemned as an example of blatant racism.

Cllr Madgwick said some publications and social media posts had led people to believe he organised the protest, which he said was “far from the truth”.

“I was contacted a few hours after the gatherings took place and was asked to attend to try and help defuse the situation. I agreed.”

He said that, after speaking to the hotel manager and cricket coach and learning about the mistaken identity, he “apologised on behalf of the city”.

He said he then told protesters about the mistake and asked them to leave.

The Portsmouth Stand Up to Racism group said the protest represents a “pattern”, highlighting similar incidents in Portsmouth where migrants were presumed to be living at Catherine Booth and Roebuck House.

Portsmouth Stand Up to Racism said: “Racists are mobilising angry mobs based on nothing more than hearsay and misinformation against innocent groups of non-white people in the city. We mustn’t allow it to continue.”

Cllr Madgwick said the incident was not “a good reflection on our city” and that he had “sympathy” with the argument that the reaction was racist.

However, he suggested the protest was a result of heightened tensions following the arrival of a boat carrying about 120 migrants in Portsmouth over the weekend.

Far-right activist ‘Danny Tommo’ led hundreds of people to Eastney on Sunday. The crowd, some of whom were wearing masks, confronted riot police in an attempt to stop the migrants being transported to a processing centre in Kent.

The incident has also led to hostility towards the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), whose crew transported the asylum seekers to Eastney.

Some crew members had their photos and names shared on social media in posts accusing them of treason.

The charity said some volunteers had been “the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse”.

It said its crews were tasked by HM Coastguard to “help those in distress” and would do so “whoever they are”.

Cllr Madgwick said “it’s unacceptable” for RNLI volunteers to be “threatened or feel unsafe”.

“If people disagree with the RNLI’s work they should peacefully lobby to stop donations or voice concerns in an amicable way. The RNLI do incredible work, outside of this area, which is vital to save British lives.”

A large anti-immigration march is expected outside All Saints Church tomorrow, with “patriot” groups from Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth and counter-protesters expected to attend.

Cllr Madgwick said: “If you intend to go to the protest, on either side tomorrow, please stay calm and keep it peaceful. There is no benefit to anyone to have any violence, it undermines everyone’s causes.

“People are rightfully upset and angry at the handling of this small boat crisis but it needs to be demonstrated with voices and not with hands.”

He said he worried that, given the high emotions, something “unfortunate” could happen.

The Portsmouth Stand Up to Racism group has also raised concerns about safety, “after seeing scenes of masked gangs of far-right men, and a mob in Portsmouth throwing stones, breaking fences and assaulting emergency workers.”

It added that those counter-protesting should “Try not to engage with far right and if appropriate, discourage others from doing so. Stay together with the main group, don’t confront the far right on your own.

“Remember that just by turning up you are part of the really important message that Portsmouth is anti-fascist. Look out for each other, chat to each other, make new friends.”