Police outside RNLI amid "traitor" hate campaign against charity over migrants rescue - RNLI confirms attacks
The RNLI has come under fire for its role in the migrants rescue
Police were spotted camped outside an RNLI station where migrants were brought ashore on Sunday after a hate campaign erupted against the life-saving charity, branded by some as “traitors” and a “collection service”.
Two police vehicles were positioned on Tuesday outside the RNLI’s Eastney base after reports emerged the charity is being targeted for its involvement in the rescue of 120 migrants brought to Portsmouth.
But the RNLI has hit back after revealing some of their volunteers have been on the receiving end of physical and online abuse with chief executive Peter Sparkes slamming those who “hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard” whose “action is wholly unacceptable”.
He said: “Recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about the RNLI – our purpose, our tasking, and particularly our lifesaving work in the Channel. Sadly, as a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in the worst cases, physical abuse.”
The controversial decision to bring the asylum seekers to Portsmouth - which was slammed by Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt as putting people “at risk” - sparked protests with balaclava-clad protesters attempting to prevent them from entering the city.
As tensions rose in the area, multiple police officers - including riot police - attended the scene, with reports confirming seven were assaulted during the incident.
Locals near the Eastney lifeboat station told The News they believe police are still outside the base to prevent any attack. “There’s been a lot of hate online against the RNLI with chat about smashing them up,” one person said.
Another person said: “Police are there to stop any trouble for the lifeboat station as there’s been threats online.”
Other locals branded the RNLI’s role as being a “collection service” and a “taxi” rather than saving lives, whilst “facilitating illegal entry into the UK”.
Responding to why police vehicles were outside the RNLI’s Eastney base, a police spokesperson said: “Public order incidents will factor into our ongoing patrol plans in the days following which is why the vehicles were seen in the area.”
The potential targeting of the RNLI’s Eastney base comes despite it being volunteers of Bembridge and Yarmouth RNLI on the Isle of Wight that brought the migrants to shore in Portsmouth.
Volunteers from the Isle of Wight stations have seen their faces, names and other personal details circulated on social media.
Balaclava-clad protesters branded the lifesaving crews as “traitors” for assisting people crossing the Channel.
Two volunteers in particular appear to have become the focus of the abuse, while social media pages belonging to other RNLI stations have also been flooded with hostile messages.
After arriving in Eastney, social media videos show RNLI volunteers being shouted at: “How do you feel bringing illegal migrants into this country?”
Online comments have also been quick to stick the boot into the volunteers. One message read: "It will be hard and painful. But all facilitators will need to be subject to treason trials."
Another simply wrote: "Traitors. Name and shame."
Other footage posted also showed people shouting abuse at an RNLI crew on their boat. Further calls of “traitors” and “Yellow jackets, yellowbellies”. Another protestor described the lifesaving crews as “scum”.
Chief constable of Hampshire Police Alexis Boon said protesters caused “some serious problems” and a small number of officers were treated for injuries. He said police “will go after” individuals after they have been identified.
“Violence and damage have no part in peaceful protests and my officers did not deserve to be assaulted. They worked incredibly hard and courageously and did not deserve what happened,” he said.
A police spokesperson said there were still no arrests before adding: “We’re in the early stages of reviewing all available body-worn video and other footage.”
Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy said she has spoken with tech firms about how RNLI staff and volunteers have been treated online.
After the names, addresses and photographs of RNLI volunteers were reportedly shared online, Ms Nandy told the Commons: “I have had an initial discussion with some of the tech companies about this.”
She later added: “It is something that the Government is concerned about (and) I’m personally concerned about.”
RNLI RESPONSE
RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes said: “The RNLI is an apolitical organisation; we are completely independent of government, powered by remarkable, kind people and fuelled by the incredible generosity of the public.
“For over two hundred years, in all weathers, in peace and war, the RNLI and our amazing volunteers and staff have selflessly dedicated themselves to rescuing people they have never met before, without judgment, fear or favour. When His Majesty’s Coastguard tasks a RNLI lifeboat crew to launch to a vessel or people in distress, whenever and wherever they need us, we will.
“We will always answer the call, whoever needs our help. It is a legal and moral obligation that our country has, under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and SOLAS, Safety of Life at Sea. Courage is the RNLI’s currency; dependable, loyal, service to others and our nations is our hallmark.
“Recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about the RNLI – our purpose, our tasking, and particularly our lifesaving work in the Channel. Sadly, as a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in the worst cases, physical abuse.
“The RNLI’s people represent the very best in our society, they selflessly give up their time to keep others safe. Yet they and their families are being threatened by those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard. Their action, in contrast, is wholly unacceptable in a civilised society. We will take whatever steps we can, to care for and protect our people and their families.”
Mr Sparkes said nearly 95 per cent, of those who crossed the English Channel in small boats last year were picked up by the UK Border Force. “Our mission, and our tasking is to rescue those women, children and men in danger of drowning. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is immediately handed over to the UK’s immigration authorities. Illegal immigration is a political issue; the RNLI exists to save lives at sea,” he said.
He added: “I have seen ludicrous rumours that we house asylum seekers on RNLI premises, or that there are RNLI missions to move migrants to secret locations. These rumours are completely baseless and untrue.
“Illegal migration is a polarising subject that generates strong views, locally and nationally. But please be mindful of misinformation, the impact it has upon others, and be reassured that the RNLI and our crews strive only to prevent people like you and me from drowning at sea. Stand by them, not against them and their families. I am extremely proud of and grateful for their vital lifesaving work that meant 389 families welcomed their loved one homes safely last year.”