Protests will not stop the removal of illegal migrants, the Home Secretary has claimed.
James Cleverly defiantly fired back in defence of Rishi Sunak’s flagship immigration policy after demonstrators clashed with police at the Bibby Stockholm barge.
A coach carrying illegal migrants left the Best Western hotel in Peckham empty yesterday afternoon.
The vehicle was scheduled to move eight migrants to the accommodation site in Portland, Dorset.
The Braintree MP said: “We will continue to remove those with no right to be here.
“No amount of chanting, drum banging or tyre-slashing by a noisy few will prevent us doing what is necessary to deliver the firm but fair approach that the British people expect.”
Police were forced to make 45 arrests for obstruction and assaulting police officers.
Another person who was not linked to the protest group was arrested for a racially aggravated offence.
GB News footage from Peckham showed protesters chant: “No detentions, no flights. Refugees have human rights.”
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Activists were seen forming a wall around the coach and lodged a rental scooter under the vehicle in order to prevent the transportation of the migrants.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: "Police were called at around 8.40pm to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel in Peckham Road SE15.
"There were reports that a coach had been obstructed by people and bicycles."
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan added: "My officers were quickly on scene and have engaged with the protesters at length.
"They have warned the group that they could be arrested. We will share more information when we can."
Yesterday’s protests came as 711 migrants crossed the Channel in 14 small boats on Wednesday.
The number represents the most crossings made in a single day in 2024 so far.
Cleverly’s comments come as the Government received a boost with the Safety of Rwanda Act receiving Royal Assent.
The first migrant has already been relocated to Rwanda but it will take slightly longer for involuntary deportations to take place.
