The RNLI has disputed newspaper claims accusing the charity of “harbouring a toxic culture of bullying”.
The Mail On Sunday carried an article yesterday – the day before the charity’s 200th anniversary – in which former RNLI volunteers accused the charity of creating an atmosphere where volunteers were “mistreated” and bosses did “anything to silence people who threaten its reputation and donations”.
The RNLI said incidents of bad behaviour and disharmony were “unfortunately inevitable in a complex organisation of its size”.
Whistleblowers claimed the charity’s responses were “lies, denials and a refusal to apologise in the face of a mountain of evidence”.
The RNLI said it took allegations and concerns raised by volunteers and staff “very seriously” and had processes in place to ensure these were heard and investigated.
A spokesperson said the charity “disputes the claims” made in the article.
“We have a range of methods that our people can use to report unacceptable behaviour, including a whistleblowing reporting line hosted by a third party,” the spokesperson said.
“The RNLI has a code of conduct which outlines the behaviour and values which we expect our staff and volunteers to adhere to.
“We are committed to taking action when behaviour falls short of what is reasonable and acceptable.”
The spokesperson added there was “no place for non-inclusive behaviour” at the charity and “where standards fall short, [it] will act”.
The charity said people quoted in the Mail on Sunday story left the RNLI after “serious behavioural or operational issues were tackled”.
The organisation has 10,000 operational volunteers, 20,000 fundraising volunteers and more than 1,800 staff.
The RNLI spokesperson added the charity was “not the same organisation that [it was] in 1824”.
“Our purpose has consistently driven the RNLI to adapt and evolve as risks at the coast and the needs of our coastal communities have changed,” they said.
“The RNLI has relied on volunteers for 200 years – we value them and are immensely grateful to our volunteers, who give their time to save lives at sea in line with RNLI values of being dependable, courageous, selfless and trustworthy.”
In November, the charity pledged to act when “standards fall short” after allegations of abuse and assault in the RNLI.
It came after The Times newspaper reported that staff and volunteers had accused the RNLI of “assault, bullying and misconduct by volunteers”.