RNLI chief executive slams online abuse as unacceptable

The abuse follows an incident in Portsmouth where two crew members were named and pictured online by protesters.

They were labelled “collaborators” and “traitors” for helping to rescue asylum seekers in the English Channel.

RNLI chief executive condemns online abuse

One individual described as a “Nationalist” claimed that one address was circulating in Telegram groups.

The post quickly gained more than 19,000 likes and was viewed over half a million times in just a few hours, attracting a flood of hostile comments.

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes strongly condemned the targeting of volunteers and said the organisation would take action to protect its people.

Mr Sparkes said: “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.”

The chief executive stressed that the RNLI is a neutral, humanitarian organisation with a single focus—saving lives at sea.

He 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.”

Mr Sparkes also addressed recent misinformation about the charity’s role in migrant rescues.

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.”

In 2025, RNLI lifeboats were tasked by the coastguard and launched 9,058 times across the UK, with 109 of those launches—representing 1.2 per cent of the total—for people in distress in the Channel.

Mr Sparkes emphasised that their work is about saving lives, not politics.

He said: “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 also refuted rumours circulating online.

Mr Sparkes said: “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.”

Anti-hate groups have also condemned the targeting of RNLI volunteers.

Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope not Hate, said: “He has literally put a target on their backs.

“When the far right say they are peaceful, just remember this post.”

Mr Lowles praised the dedication of RNLI crews and said: “work tirelessly and at great personal risk to save others.”

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Mr Sparkes urged the public to support the charity and its volunteers.

He said: “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.”