RNLI chief defends Lifeboat crews’ role in migrant rescues 

It comes as record numbers of migrants try to cross the potentially treacherous English Channel to get to the UK, despite vows from the UK Home Office to make the route from mainland Europe “unviable”.

Screengrab from footage of a rescue of migrants at sea Picture: RNLI/PA

The head of the RNLI has defended lifeboat crews for helping rescue migrants at sea, saying “decent people” deem it “humanitarian work of the highest order”.

Mark Dowie, RNLI chief executive, said he felt compelled to comment after volunteers reported being heckled for bringing migrants to safety.