Children of RNLI lifeboat volunteers are bullied at school because their parents rescue migrants in the English Channel
Children of RNLI lifeboat volunteers in Gosport have reportedly been bullied at school because their fathers help rescue migrants crossing the English Channel. The allegations were raised during a Portsmouth City Council debate on awarding the charity the Freedom of the City, amid wider reports of intimidation and abuse directed at crews.
Volunteers said they had faced public confrontations, online publication of personal details and suspicious vehicles near their station; another Portsmouth station temporarily closed after threats. The council passed the honour motion by 25 votes to 11, with one abstention, rejecting an amendment from Reform UK councillors. The RNLI says crews rescue anyone in distress at sea, and its services helped more than 36,000 people last year, launching over 9,000 times.
- RNLI volunteers’ children in Gosport were reportedly bullied over Channel rescues.
- Crews have also faced threats, public abuse and online exposure.
- Portsmouth councillors backed awarding the RNLI the Freedom of the City.
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The RNLI is a charity that operates lifeboats and relies heavily on volunteers. Its crews respond when people are in danger at sea, including migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats.
The English Channel is a busy stretch of water between Britain and France, and crossings can be hazardous. The RNLI says its crews help anyone in distress, while the charity’s work rescuing migrants has drawn criticism from some people.
Portsmouth City Council can award the Freedom of the City to recognise a person or organisation’s contribution to the area. The debate over the RNLI’s work has taken place alongside reports of abuse and intimidation aimed at some lifeboat crews.