Charity watchdog condemns abuse of RNLI crews

The chair of the Charity Commission has condemned the "thuggery and intimidation" faced by RNLI volunteers.

Dame Julia Unwin said the lifeboat charity, based in Poole, Dorset, had an "absolute duty" to rescue people "in peril in the sea".

Volunteers have been targeted by protesters since the RNLI helped bring about 120 migrants ashore at Eastney, Portsmouth, on 6 September, and police are investigating threats made to crews over radio during a rescue this month.

Reform UK's Hampshire leader George Madgwick has previously said RNLI crews "should never be personally attacked", but that he did not "politically or morally agree" with the charity's role in the Channel.

Speaking at the commission's annual public meeting, Dame Julia said charities must "have the courage to tolerate vigorous debate" and accept that people might disapprove of their work.

"But we must never grow accustomed to criminal or para-criminal abuse," she added.

After the Eastney landing, some crew members had their names and photos shared on social media in posts accusing them of treason, and Portsmouth's lifeboat station was closed.

On 4 October, 149 migrants rescued in a mid-Channel operation involving the RNLI were brought ashore at Gosport.

Hampshire police said four suspicious messages were then broadcast over VHF radio in Portsmouth Harbour.

Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service, an independent lifeboat charity, described the messages as "disgusting threats".

The RNLI said it was "unacceptable" for its crews to face "threats of any nature".

Chief executive Peter Sparkes has previously condemned threats from "those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard".