Migrant protests are on the rise across the country.
Good Morning Britain ground to a half for a major breaking news update (Image: ITV)
Good Morning Britain came to a standstill following the breaking news update that Royal National Lifeboat Institute [RNLI] staff have faced fresh attacks from migrant protestors in Portsmouth and Dover. Over the weekend, residents took to the streets of the seaside ports to protest against the arrival of migrants travelling by boat. On Sunday (September 6), police fended off demonstrators who blocked roads in Portsmouth in an effort to stop 140 people who arrived at the Eastney Landing ferry port area with the RNLI’s assistance.
They clashed with police as bricks and rocks were thrown towards officers. Some demonstrators even chased buses down the motorway as they carried the migrants from Portsmouth to Dover. In total, seven police officers were injured. Footage was soon shared on social media showing volunteers of the Poole-based charity labelled as “traitors”.
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. On Wednesday morning (September 9), Susanna Reid and Ed Balls returned to the helm to discuss the latest update from the coast live on air.
Suanna began: “Anti migrant protestors have turned on RNLI volunteers, branding them traitors and even sharing names and faces online for rescuing people in the Channel. The head of Britain’s lifeboat charity says that staff have faced unacceptable online and physical abuse since anti-migrant protests at the weekend.
“On Sunday, protestors blocked roads in Portsmouth in an effort to stop the 140 people who arrived at the board with the RNLI’s assistance. The charity’s boss, Peter Sparks, has condemned those making threats from ‘behind a balaclava or a keyboard’.”
In a statement on Tuesday morning, he penned: “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.”
It didn’t take long for viewers to flock to social media to share their frustrations online. One user penned: “I donate every year to protect legitimate sailors in trouble. I’m disappointed that the RNLI are forced into using their hard-earned resources to make these sad rescues. However, somebody has to do it. The failure is much further down the food chain.”
Another agreed: “Demonising volunteers for doing their job is rage bait. Too much hate and not enough problem solving… let’s assist them with our shared challenges.” A third fumed: “RNLI is NOT a taxi service. They DO NOT discriminate. They save the lives of HUMAN BEINGS.”