The head of the RNLI has condemned abuse directed at lifeboat volunteers during the migrant crisis, calling it "wholly unacceptable in a civilised society". Peter Sparkes hit back at threats from those hiding "behind a balaclava or a keyboard" following protests in Portsmouth.
Protests and clashes in Portsmouth
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Eastney, near Portsmouth, late on Sunday night, vowing not to let three coaches of migrants through. They clashed with police as bricks and rocks were thrown towards officers. Some demonstrators chased the buses down the motorway as they carried migrants from Portsmouth to Dover.
In total, seven police officers were injured. Some protesters branded lifeboat volunteers "traitors" after they brought migrants to shore. Photographs of volunteers have been published online, leading to fears they could be targeted.
RNLI statement on abuse
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr Sparkes 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.
"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."
Police and political response
RNLI vessels wanted to land at Southampton and Portsmouth Harbour and were threatened with legal action if they tried to bring asylum seekers ashore. They were taken to Eastney, where they were met by protesters, some of whom had entered the water. Associated British Ports (ABP) confirmed crews had been told not to come to Southampton.
Hampshire Police Federation said one officer hurt on Sunday night was "only three days out of training school". Chair Spencer Wragg said: "We've received reports of officers being assaulted, I've seen footage of officers being pushed off their motorbike, I've seen pictures of police vehicles damaged. It appears that the police last night became the target for some of the protest.
"Thankfully there are no serious injuries to officers, but the professionalism they showed in the face of provocation and immense pressure was admirable. Those scenes in that area of Portsmouth weren't protests, they weren't protests at all, it was clear that some people were intent on disorder and venting their frustrations.
"If people have a point to make, and an issue they want to legitimately protest about, that is not about assaulting officers, that is not about damaging vehicles or anything like that. That is just disorder.
"What we saw last night and into the early hours of this morning doesn't support the cause of those peacefully protesting, it was merely criminal behaviour of assaults, damage and intimidation."
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch declared that "thuggery" cannot stop small boat crossings, adding it "requires a serious plan and a serious deterrent".
Channel crossing rescue operation
French navy boats helped one mega-dinghy carrying 120 people reach British waters after its engine broke down shortly after leaving Cherbourg. It was brought into Portsmouth – the first time this has happened. Rescue teams said they were blindsided as smugglers used an "isolated, rocky spot" in the region, almost 285 miles away by road from Calais. The boat was in "serious difficulty" within "an hour", officials said.
Five French rescue vessels and two helicopters assisted the 120 asylum seekers on the nearly 70-mile journey. A rescue source said: "Jobourg is not patrolled by police, because nobody would expect a boat to leave from such an isolated, rocky spot.
"Within an hour or so the boat was in serious difficulty, and passengers on board made Mayday calls on their mobile phones."
The engine had failed, investigators believe, leaving the dinghy drifting about 14 miles off the coast. A French Navy H-160 helicopter and a Dragon 50 civil security chopper joined the operation, along with the five French ships. The Abeille Liberté got closest to the stricken boat and found "all on board packed closely together, and clearly in some distress".
The source added: "We asked them who wanted to be rescued, and the answer was no one.
"There were 20 women and eight children among them, and they clearly caused the most concern.
"Only a few migrants were wearing life jackets, so we handed out jackets to all of them. It seemed incomprehensible that they were risking their lives without life jackets.
"A second outboard motor was made to work, so the boat could continue on its voyage to Britain."
