MP Richard Quigley has hit out at those ‘exploiting’ Sunday’s migrant drama as he moved to quash rumours about arrivals on the Isle of Wight.
The Labour MP has urged Islanders to remain calm amid a storm of social media speculation following the extraordinary operation, which saw Bembridge and Yarmouth lifeboats help bring around 150 migrants ashore in Portsmouth.
Quigley says he spent 7 hours on the phone and in meetings with Solent MPs, the Home Office and partner organisations as events unfolded, with updates continuing late into Sunday evening.
Now, he has categorically dismissed claims that those intercepted were destined for the Island – as well as rumours of a migrant processing centre being established here.
He said:
“There were no plans to bring them to the Island as we don’t have the facilities to process them. And there are no plans for a centre on the Island.
“Any and all reports of arrivals to the Island are unsubstantiated.”
Those brought ashore in Portsmouth were instead taken to Manston in Kent, where the Home Office initially processes people arriving by small boats.
Quigley has also taken aim at those spreading claims online, accusing some of deliberately whipping up concern following Sunday’s events.
He said:
“That’s why I would urge calm. And appeal to Islanders not to take everything they see posted on social media as fact.
“Some have deliberately tried to exploit yesterday’s events and there’s been unnecessary backlash against the RNLI.”
As previously reported by Island Echo, Bembridge and Yarmouth RNLI were scrambled at around 10:35 on Sunday after a large migrant vessel was identified in the English Channel, roughly halfway between the Isle of Wight and Cherbourg.
Both volunteer crews remained involved for hours, with those onboard eventually brought ashore at Eastney.
Hitting back at criticism of the charity’s involvement, Quigley has strongly defended the Island’s lifeboat volunteers.
He said:
“RNLI crews are volunteers. They volunteer to save lives at sea. And yesterday, they did just that.
“They don’t discriminate or ask questions of those they’re tasked to assist. We’re lucky to have such dedicated and brave crews on the Island who’re prepared to assist when their pager goes off.”
Quigley has thanked the crews for their professionalism and says he will continue liaising with the Home Office while responding to constituents who have raised concerns.
