Nigel Farage, leader of the political party Reform UK, has criticized face coverings as a "menace" and proposed a ban on all full-face coverings in public spaces, including those worn for religious reasons. This statement follows recent demonstrations involving masked protesters, which included incidents at the Port of Dover and in Portsmouth. On Saturday, masked individuals in black clothing blocked road access to Dover, a key entry point for migrants arriving in the UK. Later that night, a confrontation in Portsmouth resulted in damage to official vehicles and injuries to a small number of police officers. Farage referenced the masked protesters in Dover, saying they should not be seen as part of modern British society. He called for a ban on all full-face coverings, regardless of whether they are worn by gang members or groups like "Antifa," which he described as extremists. Reform UK has made this policy proposal part of its agenda, even as it includes religious face coverings in the proposed restriction. Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, a leader of the Portsmouth protest and associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, warned Farage to be careful with his language. Thomas is also linked to the Patriot Platform, a group that claimed responsibility for the Dover protest. Policing minister Sarah Jones criticized the Conservatives for contributing to public frustration and labeled Patriot Platform as "far-right racist." She attributed the unrest to the political and social challenges in the years leading up to the 2024 general election, and stated the government is working to address these issues and crack down on people smuggling. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp disagreed with Jones, arguing that to truly address public anger, the government should leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and deport illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival. Suella Braverman, a former home secretary, echoed concerns from her constituency in Hampshire, saying residents are "terrified, furious, and desperate" and not far-right racists. Meanwhile, approximately 120 migrants arrived on a boat near the Isle of Wight on Sunday, prompting over 200 protesters to attempt to stop coaches transporting the migrants. Authorities are investigating potential assaults and criminal damage, though no arrests have been made yet. Kent Police is focusing its investigation on damage to a road.