Drones were flown above a Portsmouth hotel on Tuesday while a crowd of up to 50 anti-immigration protesters gathered outside, having mistaken the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team for newly arrived asylum seekers.

Councillor George Madgwick, leader of the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, confirmed the presence of the circling drones during the demonstration at the four-star Marriott hotel near Port Solent, though he noted it was unclear who was operating them.

The demonstration was triggered by online disinformation, including a post on X that falsely claimed "four coachloads of migrants" were checking into the accommodation. In reality, the coach was carrying the visiting international youth cricket team.

Madgwick, who attended the scene and spoke directly with the hotel manager before addressing the crowd, told The Independent that the confusion arose because the cricketers' coach happened to match the brand, model, and colour of a vehicle used to transport asylum seekers two days earlier.

After Madgwick informed an organiser who was livestreaming the protest that the guests were international cricketers, the organiser apologised, admitted they had got it wrong, and the crowd was asked to disperse.

The England and Wales Cricket Board stated that it remains in contact with the Pakistan Cricket Board and has reviewed security arrangements for the Under-19 squad.

The incident followed serious disorder in Portsmouth on Sunday night, when hundreds of far-right activists blocked roads and clashed with police to prevent newly arrived asylum seekers from being driven away from the port.

Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon said Sunday's protesters caused serious disruption, leaving a small number of officers injured, and confirmed that police are pursuing identified individuals.

Tensions have also resulted in hostility towards the RNLI after the charity assisted in bringing 120 rescued migrants ashore. Two police vehicles were stationed outside the RNLI's Eastney base on Tuesday after volunteers were subjected to physical abuse and targeted online as "traitors" and a "collection service".

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes condemned the abuse, describing the actions of those who "hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard" as wholly unacceptable.

Hampshire Police continue to investigate Sunday's disorder. I will be tracking any further developments on this story.