Councillor targeted with ‘ugly and scary’ abuse after sharing RNLI video

Bruce Sinclair, Local Democracy Reporter

A councillor says she was subjected to “ugly and scary” online abuse after sharing an apparently innocuous video of an RNLI lifeboat on a routine training exercise.

Ceredigion councillor Elizabeth Evans posted footage of the New Quay lifeboat on Facebook on Saturday, but later restricted her account to friends after receiving abusive comments directed at the charity.

The incident comes amid heightened concern over abuse of the RNLI because of its role in rescuing migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats.

The charity has issued security advice following protests in Dover and Portsmouth, including advising volunteers and staff in some circumstances not to wear RNLI branding because of fears of abuse.

Cllr Evans said she had deliberately kept her Facebook page “not overtly political” and open so people could access information.

“I keep my Facebook ‘open’ so that others can view my posts for information. Yesterday afternoon I had to edit my settings to revert back to ‘friends’ only.

“The abuse on my Facebook following my RNLI video was ugly and it was scary. I deleted all their comments before closing the page.

“Not one abusive comment was from any of my Facebook community, or from within Ceredigion. However, abuse is abuse. There is no place on my Facebook for abusive comments, or a vehicle to further and promote hatred.”

Speaking afterwards to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Evans said: “Unfortunately, social media is being used more and more to propagate hate and not debate in our communities, by whatever means available.

“All levels of elected representatives are increasingly subjected to abuse, and that should never become the norm.

“What I find abhorrent however, is the comments on my Facebook directed towards a charitable organisation like the RNLI, whose raison d’être is to save lives, and is volunteer-led. Social media platform providers should without doubt do more to intervene.”

On a more positive note, she added: “The positive comments in support of the RNLI speak loud and clear, and I and others will always support them in the amazing work they do.”

Gallantry awards

Back in 2023, six New Quay lifeboat crew members were presented with an RNLI gallantry award for their bravery in rescuing a crew from an ocean-going rowing boat during 2021’s Storm Arwen.

During the storm, the crew launched to answer a Mayday call from an ocean-going rowing boat in difficulty while travelling from Ireland to Aberystwyth. One of the rowers had already been evacuated by a Coastguard rescue helicopter after suffering a head injury but the remaining crew found themselves semi-submerged in rough seas.

The six RNLI crew members received the accolade for their seamanship, resilience, determination and courage in rescuing the three rowers.

After the rescue, the ocean rowing boat skipper said: “I have nothing but praise for the professionalism and efficiency of the RNLI volunteers who saved our lives, they were quite simply remarkable.”

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