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An RNLI volunteer named Neil has spoken out after being wrongly accused online of aiding migrants who arrived by small boats in Portsmouth. Following a protest involving hundreds of people who blocked roads near the harbor after asylum seekers came ashore, anti-migrant activists captured video footage of Neil and his fellow lifeboat crew members dressed in lifejackets and waterproof gear. These images were later shared on social media platforms with false claims that the crew had assisted migrants, with some posts labeling the situation an “invasion” and calling for the volunteers to be “named and shamed.”
Neil, whose face was clearly visible in the footage, told BBC Verify that the RNLI boat’s presence was solely to provide safety by lighting up the beach for protesters who had waded into the sea. He firmly rejected the accusations, stating, “I am not a traitor.” The false social media posts not only misidentified Neil and another crew member by naming different RNLI volunteers with publicly available information, but they also attracted significant abuse. Among the hostile comments were calls for the volunteers to be banned from pubs and for their families to be harassed. At least one such post has since been removed from the platform for breaching its rules, though the social media company declined to comment.
Having volunteered with the RNLI for over ten years, Neil expressed his determination to continue his lifesaving work despite the online harassment. “I’ll be back on the boat when the pager goes off,” he said, emphasizing that those who label him a traitor do not understand his role as a volunteer crew member. To protect the individuals involved, BBC Verify has chosen not to disclose full names or details of the RNLI teams.
In Parliament, Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy addressed the issue of online abuse directed at RNLI personnel, highlighting discussions with technology firms about the circulation of private information such as names, photographs, and addresses of volunteers. She voiced concern over the dangers of doxxing—that is, the sharing of private information without consent—particularly when it affects both adults and children. Dr. Anna Tippett, a criminologist and expert on cyber-vigilantism, explained to BBC Verify that doxxing can lead to a deep sense of vulnerability, blurring the lines between online harassment and real-world threats. She also noted that such targeting of volunteers could dissuade others from engaging in public service roles due to fear for their safety and that of their families
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