RNLI staff and volunteers have been subjected to "unacceptable" online and physical abuse since anti-migrant protests took place over the weekend, the charity's chief executive, Peter Sparkes, has stated.
On Sunday, police responded to demonstrators who blocked roads in Portsmouth, attempting to prevent 140 people from landing at the Eastney Landing ferry port area with RNLI assistance. Mr Sparkes condemned threats made by "those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard," adding that there had been "deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding" about the charity.
The Portsmouth protest followed a separate demonstration the previous day, where masked individuals brought the Port of Dover to a standstill. Footage was later shared online, reportedly showing RNLI volunteers labelled as "traitors."
Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy has discussed with tech firms the reported online sharing of names, addresses, and photographs of RNLI staff and volunteers. She told the Commons that this is a concern for the government and for her personally.
Mr Sparkes urged people to "be mindful of misinformation" and its impact, stating that the RNLI's mission is to rescue those in danger of drowning at sea. In 2025, 109 of the 9,058 RNLI lifeboat launches were for individuals "in distress in the Channel," representing 1.2% of the charity's total rescue work.