The Reform UK mayor of Scarborough has publicly supported the RNLI, praising its volunteers as "courageous" after reports emerged of the charity's staff facing abuse.
The Reform mayor of a coastal town in North Yorkshire has backed the ‘courageous’ RNLI after the charity’s volunteers faced abuse across the UK.
Thomas Murray, the Reform UK mayor of Scarborough, has expressed his support for the RNLI’s “courageous” staff and described the charity as a “very important organisation” for the town and the country.
Mr Murray made the remarks following reports that RNLI volunteers had been “subjected to abuse” in Scarborough and elsewhere in England.
The charity received a backlash over its involvement in rescuing asylum seekers in the Channel and bringing them to UK shores earlier this month.
The RNLI’s chief executive Peter Sparkes, said staff had faced “unacceptable” online and physical abuse since anti-migrant protests at the start of September and described the abuse of volunteers as “wholly unacceptable in a civilised society”.
At a full meeting of Scarborough Town Council on Tuesday, September 22, councillors praised the RNLI for supporting a three-month citizen science bathing water testing pilot in the town’s South Bay.
Cllr Rich Maw, who is Independent, said:
“I want to particularly thank our local RNLI for hosting the testing kits and for the support they have provided throughout.
“The RNLI and its volunteers provide an extraordinary service to our community, and I think it’s important to say that publicly.”
He added:
“I have been made aware of a couple of local volunteers unfortunately being subjected to abuse recently in Scarborough.
“I’m sure we all in this room would agree that that is completely unacceptable. People have different views on politics, public services and individual organisations.
“Our RNLI volunteers should not be dragged into those items, and I would like the town council to place on record its thanks to the RNLI and to all those local volunteers. Thanks to the RNLI.”
Mr Murray, who took up the role of mayor on the Reform-led town council last year, said:
“I think the RNLI are a very important organisation not just for this town but for the country.
“I think they are very courageous individuals who put their lives on the line to save people at sea.
“I’m happy to put on record that I support the RNLI, and I’m sure the council would agree with me as well.”
Speaking earlier this month, Mr Sparkes, the RNLI’s chief executive, 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:
“We will take whatever steps we can, to care for and protect our people and their families.”
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