Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has vowed that the RNLI will “not be a taxi service for illegal migrants” under a Reform government after sharing footage of Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat bringing migrants into Gosport.
The video, shared by Mr Farage to his 2.4million followers on social media, shows the Isle of Wight lifeboat entering Portsmouth Harbour following Sunday night’s major operation in the English Channel.
A total of 149 migrants were brought ashore at Haslar Marina at around 22:30, having been transported aboard the Bembridge and Yarmouth All Weather Lifeboats.
Mr Farage said:
“Mark my words. This will never happen again under a Reform government.
“The RNLI will not be a taxi service for illegal migrants.
“Instead, the Royal Navy will intercept every migrant boat and take the illegals back to France.
“The boats must be stopped forever and only Reform have the courage to do it.”
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His commentating follows the third migrant crossing towards the Isle of Wight and Hampshire coast since the beginning of September.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the latest small boat travelled from Normandy and was shadowed by a French vessel before being met by the 2 Isle of Wight lifeboats in English waters. Those onboard were subsequently transferred onto the Bembridge and Yarmouth lifeboats and taken into Gosport.
The Home Office confirmed that 149 people were believed to have been onboard, with those arriving later transported to Kent for processing.
Following criticism of lifeboat crews involved in Channel rescues last month, RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said the charity was apolitical and independent of Government.
He said:
“Our mission, and our tasking is to rescue those women, children and men in danger of drowning.
“Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is immediately handed over to the UK’s immigration authorities.
“Illegal immigration is a political issue; the RNLI exists to save lives at sea.”
Sunday’s incident saw both of the Isle of Wight’s All Weather Lifeboats deployed at the same time, with the vessels later pictured crowded with migrants as they travelled through Portsmouth Harbour.
It followed an earlier operation on 6th September, when Bembridge and Yarmouth RNLI were also tasked to a migrant boat carrying more than 150 people.
A further crossing on 22nd September resulted in lifeboats from Eastbourne and Hastings being launched, with those onboard eventually transferred to Border Force and taken to Dover.
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