RNLI station off service after anti-migrant protest

Portsmouth's lifeboat station remains temporarily out of service following anti-migrant protests.

Protesters blocked roads in the city on 6 September after about 120 people arrived at the Eastney Landing ferry port area following a Channel small boat crossing. The RNLI helped bring them ashore.

The RNLI also said it helped to ensure the safety of anti-migrant demonstrators who went into the sea.

Following the protest, the charity's chief executive said staff had faced "unacceptable" online and physical abuse. The lifeboat station was taken out of service on 10 September, meanwhile, abuse aimed at volunteers also forced the lifeboat museum in Poole to shut for several days.

The RNLI said: "Search and rescue cover continues to be provided through established contingency arrangements, including flank RNLI stations and other declared assets.

"We hope to have the lifeboat station back on service as soon as possible."

After abuse was directed at its crews tasked to assist the incident, its chief executive issued a statement.

Peter 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."

He added: "Stand by them, not against them and their families. I am extremely proud of and grateful for their vital lifesaving work."

The protest in Portsmouth followed a separate demonstration the previous day, in which hundreds of masked "stop the boats" protesters brought the Port of Dover to a standstill.

The protests led the RNLI to also review its security procedures. As part of this, volunteers were told to consider not wearing RNLI-branded clothing in some circumstances while representing the charity.