Protesting groups again faced each other on Sunday afternoon outside Highfield House Hotel, following a march through Portswood organised by Southampton Stand Up to Racism. 

The protest followed a familiar pattern seen when the groups have met before, with both sides chanting slogans at each other, separated by police and traffic.

Police had again issued a dispersal order covering Highfield Lane, Shaftesbury Avenue, Portswood High Street, and down to Thomas Lewis Way.

The regular protests have been described by the leader of the council as, "while lawful ... not resolving any underlying issues", but instead "creating new ones".

 As reported, there have now been calls from at least two political parties to move protests away from the hotel, which is in a residential area, and protesters and counter-protesters, as well as the Home Office and police, are to be invited to a council meeting to discuss the impact of the ongoing activity. More here.