Migrant Protests 'Won't Stop Us Doing What Is Right'

JAMES Cleverly has condemned protesters who blocked the transfer of migrants, saying: "They will not deter us from doing what is right for the British public."

- Michael Knowles

The Home Secretary spoke out after 45 people were arrested for targeting a coach trying to take asylum seekers from a London hotel to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset.

Masked thugs clashed with officers, threw rental bikes in front of the bus and even slashed the tyres in an attempt to stop it from leaving.

Mr Cleverly described the demonstrations as "intimidatory and aggressive" and vowed they would not stall the process. He added: "We will continue to remove those with no right to be here, despite continued efforts by the Labour Party and a coalition of disparate student groups to stop us. No amount of chanting, drumbanging or tyre-slashing by a noisy few will prevent us doing what is necessary to deliver the firm but fair approach the British people expect.

"I'd like to thank the police for their swift and professional action.

"They have my full support in clamping down on unacceptable criminality, racism and intimidation regardless of where it comes from." The asylum seekers were taken off the coach and are understood to be still staying at the Best Western hotel in Peckham, South East London.

The bus left empty and the protests dragged on throughout yesterday afternoon.

Ministers are under intense pressure to cut the £8million-a-day bill to house asylum seekers in hotels.

The Government wants to use the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge and former military bases to slash costs and ease community tensions.