Reform accuses union of 'inflammatory' protest email

Reform UK has criticised a trade union for "wild and unproven accusations" about protests after small boat migrants were landed in Portsmouth.

Demonstrators blocked roads in an attempt to stop coaches carrying the 120 migrants from leaving Portsmouth on Sunday night, following a separate protest at the Port of Dover the day before.

Reform city councillor George Madgwick said the city's Unison branch had sent an email to its members using "inflammatory language which could create further conflict".

The email, seen by the BBC, describes the protests as "appalling". Unison declined to comment further on Madgwick's comments.

Madgwick said he had been passed the message by an "outraged" union member who attended Sunday's protest in Eastney with her child.

Written and signed by branch chair Jon Woods, it states the branch committee voted to endorse a "unity statement" written by Stand Up To Racism Portsmouth and Women Against The Far Right Portsmouth.

The email described how "fascists and racists" descended on the city.

It also stated: "Video from Sunday night shows, yet again, far-right thugs making rape threats against emergency workers and anyone who opposed them."

Madgwick said the email "makes a series of serious and contested allegations about Sunday's events, including claims concerning violence, incitement, rape threats and the attempted creation of a 'paramilitary force', without providing evidence to substantiate them".

He said the union member who approached him was a "concerned local mother".

"She rejects the suggestion that she is far-right or racist and believes the email grossly misrepresents ordinary Portsmouth residents who attended because they were concerned about events taking place in their city.

"This whistleblower's outrage proves that Portsmouth City Unison does not speak for everyone it claims to represent," he added.

The email described the protests at Eastney as "appalling scenes".

"Sunday night's events in Portsmouth shocked people across the country and left our community reeling," it stated.

"People living in the local area, especially people in communities who face racism, and vulnerable people were left terrified and in fear of leaving their homes."

With more than 1.3 million members working in sectors providing public services, including education, local government, the NHS and the police, Unison is the UK's biggest trade union.

Hampshire Police said there had been "violent public disorder" at the protest on Sunday and the crowd of about 200 people dispersed at about 04:00 on Monday morning.

Several police, coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged during the evening, the force said. A small number of officers were treated for injuries at the scene.

On Friday, 42-year-old Del Somerville of Walsingham Close in Paulsgrove was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Saturday.