@c5news: “They represent the very best of society.” Lifesaving RNLI staff have faced online and physical abuse since assisting with the arrival of migrants in Portsmouth over the weekend in an incident that sparked a tense standoff between police and masked protesters. Boat crews on Sunday also helped ensure the safety of anti-migrant protesters in the sea, with four lifeboats standing by for their safety. But despite that and the fact they save hundreds of people across the UK and Ireland every year “deliberate misinformation” is being spread about its volunteers. Chief executive Peter Sparkes has condemned the threats by "those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard". Mr Sparkes said recent events had "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." Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy said she had spoken with tech firms about how the names, addresses and photographs of RNLI staff and volunteers were reportedly shared online.

ranstad :

not getting a penny of my money

Frank Nicholls :

Wouldn’t give them a penny again

pizza face :

The RNLI need to stop what they are doing then. Before thousands of people turn on them

user9042719806076 :

deliberately misleading footage , disgusting

slowanddirty :

Resuced or transferred?

Musicnut :

They’re doing their JOB!!!!

Lexa :

The RNLI are the Best of British

Dick 5678 :

Let’s be honest if they had gone that far over and they were injured you would take them to France to the nearest hospital so why are they not being fined like lorry drivers what is the difference another two tier agenda like policing NHS etc

wilf2901 :

Not rescued but put themselves in danger

V3 :

Not sure recused is a correct term

user86215118361192 :

How much money is the CEO gettin paid

135359 :

did he just say the very best in our society, MMM what about nurses, doctors, military.

mauser :

It’s the coastguard that calls out the RNLI. These guys were doing their jobs, nothing else they are non political.

selseybill :

We stand with the RNLI

Damian Kimmi Marritt :

Whats the alternative?? The RNLI just sit back and watch hundreds of people drown in the Channel?? Are those masked men going to be the ones who have to collect hundreds of dead bodies of the beaches of southern England and bury them?? The RNLI is there to save lives at sea and they do not care who they are saving or where they are from. The RNLI and it's volunteers are the best of British and I will always support them.

Dave Boddison :

Yet they would save the life of that man calling them a traitor

Spill :

kev walker :

Hero's among us ♥️🇬🇧

bd :

No more money

sianj9 :

Todmodska :

COUNT ME OUT

toofast2you :

Yes there do amazing work there will be there when you need them. But us donating to them to be a taxi service. When is comes to an mega boats isn’t that up to board force another taxi service?

paulrobinson6159 :

Think they need to understand the laws of maritime

giant ginger carp :

They did not rescue them and unfortunately that's the point the Sunday you are taking about they took them on bord are the boat was escorted by the French that's the point

Barry :

Spot on 👍