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Extra sailings ran through the night at the Port of Dover to help clear the backlog that left passengers – including school pupils – stranded for up to 14 hours.

A spokesperson for the port said they hoped to clear the backlog by Sunday lunchtime, blaming increased Easter traffic, earlier bad weather and delays in French border processing for the long lines of traffic.

P&O Ferries was advising passengers to expect a 10-hour wait in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The port declared a critical incident on Friday with coaches particularly affected by the traffic.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, said the situation at Dover was “improving”.

She also denied that Brexit had played a part in the disruption and urged patience from holidaymakers while travel companies cleared the backlog.

“I don’t think that is fair to say that this is an adverse effect of Brexit,” she said.

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‘Dover delays not adverse effect of Brexit’

“I think we have seen we have had many years now since leaving the European Union and there’s been, on the whole, very good cooperation and processes.

“But at acute times, when there’s a lot of pressure crossing the Channel whether the tunnel or the ferries, then I think there’s always going to be a backup.

“And I just urge everyone to be a bit patient while the ferry companies work their way through the backlog.”

‘It was really harrowing’

Some passengers had to spend Friday night in their seats after authorities diverted more than 20 coaches to nearby lorry rest stops because of overcrowding in Dover.

“By the time we reached the port, we joined the queue and seven hours later, we’ve moved about three inches,” said coach driver Ken, who couldn’t finish the journey to Italy because of the hours he had already spent sitting in traffic.

“The port was teeming with children getting off the coaches to go to the toilet. If you went into the toilet area it was devastating, it was full of bodies. It was really harrowing,” he told Sky News.

A separate coach-load of 13-year-olds had their trip to a football tournament cancelled because their driver had reached the maximum number of hours allowed.

“There’s so much traffic in the area that they can’t get people into the terminal itself,” Simon Lyons, a father chaperoning the trip, said.

“Staff here are being very friendly and helpful but what they’re telling us is there’s a real lack of French border staff trying to get people checked and into the terminal.”

Teacher trapped at Dover for 16 hours forced to spend £1,000 on pizza for 80 students

A school teacher stuck in the chaos at the Port of Dover has told Sky News he had to spend around £1,000 on pizzas for the children in his care.

Edward Davies, a geography teacher from Bournemouth, has been waiting to cross the Channel for more than 16 hours and spent last night in a car park in Kent along with fellow teachers and students.

The party of 80 pupils, spread over two coaches, was meant to have boarded a ferry at 8.20pm last night (Saturday).

When Sky News spoke to him at around midday today (Sunday) he said: “We should be strapping on our ski boots on the slope right now.” He was speaking before heading off to pick up his mammoth Domino’s pizza order.

He added he had been told it was taking an average of an hour to process each of the coaches arriving at the port.

Mr Davies said he expected to be through and on a ferry by 4pm, at which point he and his party will have been waiting for at least 20 hours.

After a restless night in their seats, this afternoon some of the children spilled out onto the traffic lanes at the port itself – singing, waving at freight lorries and throwing around rugby balls – just to give themselves something to do.

Elsewhere in the queue, as police officers handed out bottles of water, some other teachers were being forced to book new drivers and hotels in France, while others have even given up on the trips altogether – and are simply turning around and going home.

‘We haven’t moved for eight hours’

Kaeti Breward, a PE teacher at St Joseph’s High School in Wrexham who is heading on a ski trip to the Alpes with a group of 40 children, said she and her students were meant to be on a 5pm ferry on Saturday night.

“[We’ve made] very little progress,” she told Sky News.

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Passengers tell of Dover ordeal

“We arrived at the Port of Dover about 4pm and we were put into a holding bay. At midnight last night, we were moved into another holding bay and probably there for about an hour and a half.

“There were no toilet facilities there. At that point, P&O gave us some Kit Kats.

“They had run out of water. We brought extra water, but we are out now. It’s getting to a pretty dire situation now really.”

She added: “We literally haven’t moved, probably for about eight hours. We’ve been inching forward, but that’s about it.

“We’ve got years of experience leading trips. We’ve never had this before. We’ve also got two experienced coach drivers with us and they’ve never had this.”

Dover Port has had these passenger volumes before, but since the UK left the EU, additional passport checks take additional time.

“The difference of living in a post-Brexit environment means that every passport needs to be checked before a vehicle or passenger can pass through to the EU through France. And that happens here in Dover. So it does make processing more challenging,” said Doug Bannister, CEO of Dover Port.

Port ‘deeply frustrated’

P&O Ferries said on Saturday evening that coaches at the cruise terminal were still facing a wait time of up to 3.5 hours before they can proceed to the Port of Dover.

Food and drink had been provided to passengers stuck in the traffic.

The port spokesperson said: “There is still the ongoing situation at the port but both DFDS Seaways and P&O are adding additional departures overnight. Vessels usually have a longer layover at night but they will be running back and forth to clear as much as they can.”

Lorries queue for the Port of Dover along the A20 in Kent as strong winds effect ferry services. Picture date: Friday March 31, 2023.
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Lorries queue for the Port of Dover along the A20 in Kent as strong winds effect ferry services on Friday

Earlier on Saturday a port spokesperson said he was “deeply frustrated” by the “significant delays”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the government to “get a grip” of the situation at Dover.

“I really feel for people trying to get through Dover. There will have been families who have booked holidays and now they are frustrated yet again,” he said.

“This is not the first time there have been problems at Dover.

“You can’t have every summer holiday, every Easter holiday, the same old problem. And so the government needs to get a grip on this and actually help people out, who are just trying to get away for a few days’ holiday.”

A government spokesman said: “The UK government remains in close contact with ferry operators, the French authorities, and the Kent Resilience Forum regarding delays at the Port of Dover.

“The port has advised that it remains busy but the situation has improved significantly since yesterday, with coaches being processed at a much quicker rate.

“We recommend passengers check the latest advice from their operators before travelling.”

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Man suffers cardiac arrest onboard boat trying to reach UK

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Man suffers cardiac arrest onboard boat trying to reach UK

A man has died after suffering cardiac arrest onboard a boat attempting to reach the UK.

The vessel turned back towards Equihen beach on the French coast yesterday morning.

A nurse tried to resuscitate the man but was unsuccessful.

Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

French authorities have now launched an investigation into the circumstances.

A spokesperson for Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, has criticised authorities on both sides of the Channel.

Jacob Burns said: “Yet again we have a tragedy in the Channel, that is the consequence of the deadly, costly and ineffective security policies implemented by the UK and France.”

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

Later on Saturday, a lifeboat carried migrants who have made the voyage into the Port of Dover.

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Photographs showed them huddled under blankets and orange life jackets on board.

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Protesters clash over asylum hotels

Provisional statistics from the Home Office suggest almost 24,000 people have arrived on small boats in the UK so far this year.

Towns and cities across the UK have seen protests in recent days, primarily outside hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers.

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Women’s Euros final: The Lionesses face Spain tonight – and they’re seeking revenge

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Women's Euros final: The Lionesses face Spain tonight - and they're seeking revenge

Here the Lionesses are again. Another final. Another showdown with Spain.

All of a sudden, what was once so anticipated and longed for can start to seem expected rather than extraordinary.

What happened to the great underachievers of world football? They are now consistently among the final two going for glory.

England wins
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At Euro 2022, the Lionesses ended England’s 56-year wait for a major trophy by beating Germany 2-1 after extra time. Pic: Reuters

No one is taking that for granted.

Especially not Leah Williamson, with the chance to retain the European Championship trophy lifted three years ago at Wembley.

“The opportunity of tomorrow and what’s on offer is the best thing in football,” the England captain said. “I think we don’t necessarily carry the weight of it and how much it means to people, but we’re aware of it because it means the same to us.”

So often they were only watching other nations making finals.

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England’s first was the men winning the 1966 World Cup.

England v Spain: All you need to know

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Lionesses ‘know what win would mean to nation’

Then, with the rebirth of women’s football after bans and neglect, it was the Lionesses’ turn to make it to the finals – in 1984 and 2009.

And the Three Lions had to wait until 2021 to make it to a final, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.

It kickstarted an incredible run of five successive years of finals for England senior teams – with another men’s Euros final defeat in 2024.

The Lionesses have led the way, bringing football home by defeating Germany in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley.

They just missed out on going one better when reaching a first Women’s World Cup final a year later.

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts REUTERS/Carl Recine
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England manager Sarina Wiegman reacts to defeat against Spain at the Women’s World Cup final in 2023. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 England's Lauren James looks dejected after losing the world cup final REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
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Lauren James looks dejected after their World Cup defeat, but is confirmed fit for Sunday’s revenge match against Spain. Pic: Reuters

Now, in Basel, comes the chance for revenge against Spain – even though no one in the England camp is saying that, publicly at least, in Switzerland.

Especially knowing how challenging a task it is coming up again against Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putella – the recent winners of football’s biggest individual honours.

England fans celebrate after England beat Italy at Women's Euro 2025. Pic: Reuters
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England fans celebrating after England beat Italy to reach the finals. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Fans in Manchester watch Spain v England - Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, Britain - August 20, 2023 England fans watch the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
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Given England’s history against Spain, it could be a nerve-wracking time for England fans. File pic: Action Images/Reuters

But this is Spain’s first Euros final.

And there is some fear from the world champions at England’s grit and resolve to produce comebacks late in the quarter-finals and semi-finals – with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang’s goals integral to the fightbacks.

England celebrate after defeating Italy in the Women's Euro 2025 semi-final. Pic: Reuters
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England celebrate their semi-final win against Italy to reach the finals. Pic: Reuters

Michelle Agyemang celebrates scoring her side's opening goal.
Pic: AP
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Michelle Agyemang has propelled England to the Euro 2025 final with two vital goals. Pic: AP

Spain captain Irene Paredes reflected yesterday on how the Lionesses can flip a result late on.

But she was also discussing how their World Cup win was tarnished by the on-pitch kiss that led to former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales being convicted of a sexual assault on striker Jenni Hermoso.

It sparked a wider clamour in Spain for improved rights and respect for women.

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Spain’s players struggle for respect

“Since then [2023] we took big steps forward,” Paredes said.

“I think this idea is disappearing from society. I still believe we have to continue opening doors… we’re a reference for boys and girls in society, but we still have things to do.”

It is a reminder that while tonight is about collecting silverware, both England and Spain know that emerging as champions can drive further growth in women’s football back home.

Amid it all, they’ll try to savour just what reaching a final means and how rare they are – until recently for English and Spanish women.

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Unlicensed Botox-like injections spark outbreak of disease many doctors have never treated

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Unlicensed Botox-like injections spark outbreak of disease many doctors have never treated

A woman who thought she was being injected with Botox was left unable to swallow and doctors thought she had suffered a stroke – after she contracted a life-threatening illness from a potentially illegal product.

Nicola Fairley is one of dozens of people who have developed botulism linked to unlicensed anti-wrinkle injections.

She had the procedure done with her regular beautician after winning a Facebook competition for three areas of “Botox”.

Nicola Fairley
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Nicola Fairley

“Within two or three hours my forehead and the sides of my eyes had started to freeze,” Nicola says.

“At first I thought ‘amazing’, that’s what I wanted – then it just carried on.”

Nicola was eventually sent to A&E in Durham, where she met several other patients who all had similar symptoms.

Doctors were stumped. “They thought I’d had a stroke,” she says.

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“We all had problems with our eyes, some of us with our breathing. I couldn’t swallow – they put me on nil by mouth because they were worried I would choke in the waiting room.”

Nicola Fairley
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Doctors were worried Nicola could choke after she was injected with a suspected illegal product

It turns out all of the patients had recently had anti-wrinkle injections containing botulinum toxin.

Health officials believe they were imported, illegal products.

Botulism – the disease they caused – is so rare many doctors never see it in their entire careers.

It can cause symptoms including slurred speech and breathing problems, and can be deadly.

The disease is so unusual, and so many cases were coming in, that doctors exhausted their stocks of anti-toxin and had to ask hospitals as far away as London to get more.

Botulism

The UK Health Security Agency has so far confirmed 38 cases of botulism linked to cosmetic toxin injections, but Sky News has been told of several more.

The outbreak began in the North East but cases have now been seen in the East of England and East Midlands as well.

There are only a handful of legal botulinum toxin products in the UK – of which Botox is one.

But cosmetic treatments are largely unregulated, with anyone allowed to inject products like fillers and toxins without any medical training.

Cheap, illegal products imported from overseas are easily available.

Steven Land
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Dr Steven Land

‘It’s the Wild West’

Dr Steven Land runs Novellus Aesthetics clinic in Newcastle upon Tyne. He worked for decades as an emergency medicine doctor before moving into aesthetics.

He says he has been warning health officials of an outbreak for years.

“It’s the Wild West,” Dr Land told Sky News.

“Because anyone can do this, there is a lack of knowledge around what is legal, what’s not legal, what is okay to be injected.

“These illegal toxins could have 50 units, 5,000 units or rat poison – there could be anything in there.”

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Botulism

Dr Land showed us messages that he says he gets on a weekly basis, from sellers trying to push him cheap, unlicensed products.

They advertise “limited time offers” and cheap bundles on toxins imported from overseas. He calls them “drug dealers”.

“They are preying on the lack of knowledge among non-medical practitioners,” he says.

Consultations on how to regulate the aesthetics industry have been ongoing for years – but so far, no changes have been introduced.

The UK government now says it does plan to regulate certain procedures, but it’s not said how it will do this, or when.

“What will it take?” Nicola says. “One of the women we were with did almost die – she had to be resuscitated.”

Nicola’s beautician has stopped responding to her messages, so she says she still has no idea what the product was “or how much of it is in me”.

She doesn’t know how long her symptoms will last, but just hopes she will eventually recover.

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